NEW ORLEANS — The biggest news out of All-Star Friday — besides Minnesota’s Kevin Love proclaiming “Saw” as his favorite Valentine’s Day movie — was Carmelo Anthony stressing his preference to remain a Knick if team executives show him they are committed to a championship.
That means procuring the necessary players — such as Love, the Timberwolves’ ultra-talented power forward.
Love’s name has made the speculation rounds, and with his ability to join the free-agent ranks in 2015, that is not changing. He would be a hit, with his talent, personality and flair. When asked about his future and if he ever gives a thought to New York, he replied with a straight-faced deadpan.
“New York? Right now, I’m thinking about Derek Jeter’s decision. How about that?” Love said.
His standard line is “I want to win” and he’ll think about what he wants to do in 2015 in, well, 2015. He is sharp enough to realize it is a no-win situation.
“If I say that I like Charlotte or ‘Charlotte is a great city, I love spending time there,’ then all of a sudden I’m going to Charlotte,” Love said. “Anything I say is going to be a misconception or be some sort of a headline. It’s silly.
“Sure [free agency] is brought up. It crosses my mind. In a way, I just try to put that aside. It’s a question that’s always going to be brought up. Really, I would love not to talk about it and focus on winning now with the Timberwolves.”
So, Knicks fans must wait. But there obviously is a lot to love about Love, a Sunday All-Star starter for the West.
“I love how much he rebounds. I love that he is a double-double guy every night,” Jazz power forward great Karl Malone said. “He can shoot the 3. He stretches the floor, but I love his grit.”
“Coming out of college, I wasn’t sure he was going to be that good. Obviously a little undersized as a power forward but man, he’s a beast,” Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki said. “He’s got strong legs, is always in great position on rebounding.”
While Love made no overt declarations about New York, he acknowledged there is a pretty good player there.
“Carmelo is another guy that can really score the ball,” Love said. “Obviously, they’re not having a year like they did last year or the success they wanted but he’s a tremendous player.”
It sounds like a mutual admiration thing. Anthony, who has heard advice from players around the league, had his own guidance for Love.
“Just play basketball. My experience … was just play basketball and everything else will take care of itself,” Anthony said. “Family is most important. But it comes down to your own person. Sometimes you got to go with your gut.”