A recent TNT report (video link) indicated that Kevin Love might be considering retirement, but the Heat big man clarified today that he’s not ready to end his career, writes Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Chris Haynes relayed the story of a team meeting after the Game 3 loss to the Celtics in which Bam Adebayo “challenged his teammates to bring it.” One of the players who spoke up was Love, who according to Haynes, told the locker room, “Listen guys, I don’t know how much more basketball I have left in me. So we cannot go out like this.” Haynes added that Love’s comments “resonated” with everyone on the team and helped them put the series in perspective.
Speaking to reporters after this morning’s shootaround, Love explained that the meeting actually happened several weeks ago and he didn’t mean to imply that his retirement is imminent.
“I said we have to take advantage of this opportunity and this situation because whether you’re [Nikola Jovic], and you have who knows how many left, or you’re myself, who also doesn’t know how many he has left, we got to take advantage of this,” Love said. “It could be one more year. It could be two years, three years, four years, five years. But the truth is you just don’t really know. You could miss the playoffs. You could get beat in the first round, second round, third round. Like no matter what it is, that was more like what I was saying, is we need to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Love, 35, is in his 16th NBA season and his first full year with Miami. He has a $4MM player option for next season and although he didn’t indicate whether he intends to exercise it, he made it clear that he plans to be in the league somewhere.
Chiang notes that Love’s minutes have been limited during the first-round series because of matchup problems with Boston. He was a useful backup during the regular season, appearing in 55 games and averaging 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.8 minutes per night.
After coming to Miami in February 2023 following a buyout with Cleveland, Love became part of the Heat’s rotation and had a consistent role during their run to the NBA Finals. He explained that his speech was intended to create the same mindset that led to last year’s playoff success.
“I think my message to the guys was like, ‘Take advantage of the time we have together,’” Love said. “Even last year, too, I felt like we did that and that run is something that will stick out in my mind forever. I think it will for all Heat fans and players who were a part of it.”
I really hope he stays with the Heat, and plays at least another 2, maybe 3 years, and lineup with Jimmy, and as a compliment to Bam; Kyle would have been included in that. He was amazing this year for the Heat, and a 6MotY contender, if he had 10 more games. My offseason target list is partially on the assumption, and hope, he stays with the Heat
He’s not going to get 4M anywhere else. That’s not a knock on him, because of his age, he just isn’t.
“Haynes added that Love’s comments “resonated” with everyone on the team and helped them put the series in perspective.”
Well, they got their barn doors blown off in Game 4, too. So I don’t know how much resonating was going on.
Things “resonating” with Miami doesn’t make them good.
He should just ask for the Haslem chair. He can sit in it till he retires.
He might not be retiring, but he’ll be golfing this weekend regardless.
Delon, Caleb, duncan, Highsmith, Bam
Or Delpn, Tyler, Caleb, Highsmith, Bam
Or Herro, Caleb, Duncan, Highsmith, Bam
At this point, we’re pretty much just too short on availability, but I at least don’t want to see the same lineups that never should have been used in this series
He is 35 but he looking 40 lol
A lot of dudes dye their hair & beards don’t get tricked
He has a market. He’s from LA.
Heat would be wise to keep him.
He’s from Lake Oswego which is 5 minutes from Portland Oregon.
What happened to all the Celtics are in trouble against the Heat folks?
There were a lot of you. It was kinda funny.
Well…Patty mills played for some reason, and that was that. That spot should have been several other people, but it is what it is…we’re losing caleb and highsmith, and have other stuff to replace there, and hopefully won’t be injured/at least be slightly healthy for the first time in 12 years next year.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Heat try to trade rozier/herro and Jovic. Wish we could keep Caleb, but that possibility was lost in the kyle/rozier deal
Would have loved to have seen this matchup under different circumstances, but I was also hoping to play milwaukee
Yes, patty Mills was the reason Miami lost. Who miami suppose to play in their situation?
I remain mystified that while he and LeVert were teammates they never enhanced their brands by producing any music. Both coming from such prominent Boomer generation musical families, they could have easily garnered some serious attention and some cash, too. No matter if they can’t carry a tune, modern technology and a good producer could have done it.
I’m thinking of altered lyrics on a mash-up of “Love Train” and almost any Beach Boy hit. “Help Me, Caris,” ” Don’t Worry, JB,” “Wish They All Could Be Cleveland Cavaliers.” You get the idea. Video would have included teammates singing chorus interspersed with game footage.