Love/Westbrook Interview

On probably one of the better NBA draft nights in recent Bruin history, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love both went in the top-5. Here's an interview with both of them, talking about what it was like to get drafted so high and in Love's case, to then get traded on the same night.

Love talks about being traded for former crosstown rival OJ Mayo and what he thinks about going from Memphis to Minnesota.

No matter how you look at it, it was a great night to be a Bruin fan:

“I’m just so excited and elated for them,’’ UCLA coach Ben Howland said via conference call. “Both Russell and Kevin have worked so hard.’’

Hours after the draft ended, The Associated Press reported Mayo was dealt to Memphis for Love in an eight-player deal that also sent Mike Miller to the Timberwolves.

“I was actually hoping I’d go (to Minnesota),” Love said. “I believe I could play well beside Al Jefferson.”

While Love was one of the nation’s most sought after players coming out of high school, Westbrook was a late developer. He had received little recruiting attention until he grew 4 inches between his junior year and the start of his senior year. As a junior, Westbrook was 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. He’s now 6-3 and 196 pounds.

Westbrook saw limited action as a freshman at UCLA but this past season he emerged to become one of the team’s top players and was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

When asked if three years ago he could have envisioned any of this happening, Westbrook said, “I imagined the best for myself. I worked so hard to put myself in the best position possible.’’

I wish they had both stayed obviously for one more year, but if they're going to leave, I definitely want to see Bruin alumni be successful in the NBA. UCLA!!