Kevin Love speaks up about Dan Patrick linking Cooper Flagg to his name with magnanimous statement

Kevin Love, in his own classy way, responded to a segment on Cooper Flagg and him by posting a tweet addressing the whole conversation.

Kevin Love speaks up about Dan Patrick linking Cooper Flagg to his name with magnanimous statement

Kevin Love and Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg is in the midst of a historic freshman season for Duke as they compete in the Final Four for the first time in three years. The 18-year-old, who is primed for a No. 1 draft pick selection in this year’s NBA Draft, has already won the Oscar Robertson trophy as the best men’s college basketball player. His Duke team is scheduled to face the Houston Cougars as both teams stake a claim for the national title game.

Cooper Flagg put up an impressive two-way performance in Duke’s Sweet Sixteen win over the Arizona Wildcats. He then put in a complementary scorer’s shift in the Elite Eight as the Blue Devils walloped Alabama. Flagg is also in prime position to win the Naismith award, due to be given out in a few days. The combo forward is averaging a spectacular 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists for the season.

Former ESPN personality Dan Patrick had showered heady praise on the youngster’s shoulders after his irresistible displays in the NCAA tournament. His words amounted to wondering whether Flagg is destined for a first-ballot Hall of Fame pro career. The player he chose to make the comparison to was Kevin Love, himself a top pick and someone who had a dominant college career with the UCLA Bruins.

After Patrick’s initial statement was interpreted as a disparaging one for Love by some media outlets, the former ESPN host took the time out to clarify how he meant no disrespect for the 17-year NBA veteran. Love, in his own classy way, responded to this segment by posting a tweet addressing the whole conversation around him and Flagg.

It’s all good Dan. It’s not a thing. Context matters. Still a friend of the show.

Kevin Love tweeted

Love has been a real ambassador for the game at the NBA level and has matured into one of the best mentors around the league following the decline of his athletic abilities. For a guy with 30/30 games under his belt, Love also dealt with his reduced role in Cleveland in a classy way. Love returned to teams contending for championships after becoming a model role player, and will likely keep playing on contenders due to the head between his ears and his experience.

How good is the Kevin Love player comparison for Cooper Flagg

There really aren’t many similarities between Kevin Love and Cooper Flagg in terms of basketball abilities. Love’s most signature ability has been his penchant to secure rebounds, often over players taller and bigger than him. Love also has great shooting touch and range, as well as a well-developed post player. On offense, Love is mainly an off-ball weapon who can be an efficient scorer at all three levels.

Flagg is more of a table-setter, and he thrives with the ball in his hands. Flagg’s athletic abilities and length allow him to be a great driver of the ball, and he has the elite reading of situations to allow him to be a lethal drive-and-kick penetrator. Flagg himself has pull-up 3-point shooting range and can take games over as a scorer. He is also an excellent off-ball tool and can be a dominant rebounder when he sets his mind on that role.

In terms of pure basketball ability and how he moves on the floor, Flagg may truly be much better compared to the likes of Kevin Durant than to Kevin Love. However, Love is valid enough as a barometer for the comparison between him and Flagg to make sense.