Kevin Love rips former Team USA director Jerry Colangelo for out of shape comments: 'F*** him'
Former Team USA basketball director Jerry Colangelo didn't have positive things to say after Kevin Love pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics. Colangelo said Love was out of shape and it was a mistake to ask Love to be on the team.
Love, as you can imagine, wasn't happy about that. He fired back at Colangelo on Friday, saying "F*** him."
Love made those comments while appearing on HBO's "The Shop." Warning: The clip contains NSFW language.
Not many Jerry Colangelo fans in this room after he threw @kevinlove under the bus ?? ?? #TheShop
The Shop: Uninterrupted is now streaming on @HBOmax. pic.twitter.com/FI1DoVUQ28— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) September 25, 2021
Love wasn't the only person who thought Colangelo's comments were inappropriate. Love said he received a call from former teammate LeBron James, who disapproved of what Colangelo said.
Love claimed Colangelo made those comments because he wanted to protect his legacy. "He wanted something to point the finger at if they lost," Love said. "In case it didn't go right, which, it was looking bad."
Team USA struggled early at the Tokyo Olympics, dropping its first game at the event since 2004. The team recovered and won another gold medal.
Love echoed James' comments later in the conversation. "I'm sitting up here and being the nice guy right now but, honestly, f*** that." Love later added "f*** him" after the rest of the group said it. Even comedian Wanda Sykes took part in the festivities. She looked directly at the camera and said, "F*** you, Jerry," which drew a laugh from everyone on set.
What did Jerry Colangelo say about Kevin Love?
Colangelo called out Love's conditioning and preparation after Love left the team. Colangelo's full comments read:
"I didn’t think Kevin Love was gonna play. I wasn’t even sure he had much left to play. He reached out to us and said he was in shape and said he felt he owed us. And on the basis of that, we’re looking at someone with international experience who at one time was a heck of a rebounder and could still shoot the ball. You know, being like a 12th man on a roster. Well, it didn’t work out. He wasn’t in shape. And he was way behind as it turned out. So you move on. Call it a mistake. Call it giving someone an opportunity. Someone who had equity with us. Guys who play for us get a little plus.”
Love battled a calf injury prior to the Olympics. He said Colangelo's comments would convince NBA general managers that Love couldn't play anymore. Love, whose contract has become an issue for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been mentioned in trade speculation for years, though he still remains with the team. There were reports the Cavaliers were looking to buy out Love's deal, but he had no interest in that.
Love is expected to return to the Cavaliers for the 2021-22 NBA season. He'll once again be a popular name in trade talks, especially if Love can stay healthy and put up solid numbers.
