Read it and Weep. KLove announces he's gone.

by waters96 on Apr 17, 2008 2:06 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA's Kevin Love is NBA-bound.

"The All-American freshman announced Thursday that he'll skip his final three college seasons and enter the NBA draft.

Love led the Bruins in scoring (17.5 points) and rebounds (10.6) on the way to a 35-win season and a trip to the Final Four, where UCLA lost to Memphis.

Scouts have projected Love to be a top-10 pick in the June 26 draft, according to his coach Ben Howland.

Love made the announcement at a campus news conference Thursday afternoon, joined by Howland and Love's father, Stan Love."

We all knew this was coming. But now that it's here, I can't help but admit that I wonder what could have been if he stayed one more year. Anyway, let's hope that the nuclear option does not take place.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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You only wept

If you didn't see it coming. I just read it.

by Tydides on Apr 17, 2008 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

OK, True, But...

..c'mon, admit that there was just a little, tiny voice in your head saying, "What if he stays...?" Not all the time, just every once in a while, when you were thinking about next year's team....

I mean, intellectually, we all knew he was gone after one when he came last year, but...
...it's hard not to dream.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 17, 2008 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Westbrook also.

Neither has hired an agent per Perelman.

by petrolff1107 on Apr 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

Damn, that's extra bad news.

DC and KL I was prepared for. Was really hoping RW would stay another year.

by waters96 on Apr 17, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply actions

RW will come back if

he thinks he will be picked below 20 (which might be a distinct probability given how loaded this draft is).

"Neither will not hire an agent at this time, meaning they could potentially return. Westbrook said he might stay if it looks like he'll fall below the 20th pick in the draft."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bruin/

by FUSC on Apr 17, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Love discussion on PTI

Wilbon says he should have stayed one more year to develop his game, but probably a good financial decision.

Kornheiser says that if money is not part of the equation, stay in college and enjoy the college life, but he is ready for the NBA.

by Tydides on Apr 17, 2008 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

I agree partially with both...

I think he should've stayed a year and enjoyed college life. I think he could've benefited from another year to develop his body and his game. And I think the money may be a wash as I'm sure he would go no lower than five if he stuck around another year.

I also think RW would benefit a lot running the point for a year in college to prove he's not a combo guard without a true position.

by waters96 on Apr 17, 2008 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

So, I beg to ask the question

Is KL one of the Bruins all-time greats?

One year of overwhelmingly strong play and a Final Four--is that the marker for individual greatness?

Personally, the one-and-done is understandable, but we also made the Final Four without him. I'm curious to see where KL ends up in UCLA lore (the fact that we have lore is, in itself, telling of the tradition)

by bruinhopeful on Apr 17, 2008 3:44 PM PDT reply actions

He had the potential to be.

That's all I'm gonna say.

by dokein on Apr 17, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope

I wouldn't even put him in front of Afflalo.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 17, 2008 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Not a chance

Was he great this last year...absolutely. Is he one of the all time Bruin greats.. Different question. Go ahead and compile the list. Start with Alcindor, Walton etc... work your way down. It definately counts for the whole body of work. Total points, titles etc..And remember to act as if you are making this list years from now. At that point you'll be saying, yeah that Love kid was good, helped take us to the final four one year. Thats all though. If Walton had been a one and done, he would not be included near the top of this list either.

by popopapa on Apr 17, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Heck, I'd even put Earl Watson ahead of him

It was fun watching him, but it was hard to embrace Kevin Love when you knew he was just passing through town on his way to the NBA.

FWIW, I did some venting on my site as well, looking at the big picture. Don't know if anyone will agree with it or not.

by insomniacslounge on Apr 17, 2008 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Love is wherever we place Baron Davis

I think Love's UCLA career is on par with Baron Davis' time at UCLA.

by bruinliv on Apr 17, 2008 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Maybe a little higher based on team success but not much.

I guess it says a lot about UCLA that a comparison to Baron Davis could almost be seen as an insult.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 17, 2008 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I personally love Baron

so I don't see the comparison as an insult per se. But if Love had decided to stay, he would have left a UCLA legacy on par with Walton and Kareem.

by bruinliv on Apr 18, 2008 5:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Love was a fantastic player, and perhaps one of the best centers we've seen for awhile, but one year is just too short. Maybe it's just because of my sympathies, but I would put Lo Mata above Love, if only because I've had the pleasure of seeing him develop into such a fine player.
Can't fault Love though... if offered millions of dollars as a freshman, I would probably make the same choice. As long as the one-and-done scenario is remains, we will not likely have any more all-time Bruin Greats... unless a fab. freshman comes in that is absolutely mind-blowing and bulldozes his way to title #12...

by bruinbunz on Apr 17, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope. Could have been.

He was wonderful to watch in every game, but players like Afflalo accomplished more and gave way, way more to UCLA.

One year just isn't enough to be an all-time great except, perhaps, if he'd led the team to the title. I think if he'd done that, it would have been a close call.

by Chandler on Apr 18, 2008 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

He was

one of the best all-time Bruin freshmen.

by tasser10 on Apr 21, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

one year

Is not enough to get to the all time great among our greats. He certainly put up some big numbers for us all season, but one year and no championships means that he won't be an all time great.

by blinkshot on Apr 17, 2008 4:04 PM PDT reply actions

Not even close

He was a great player, but I will have more long time appreciation for the Toby Bailey's, Earl Watson's, and Dijon Thompson's(who clearly is one of my favorite Bruins of all time. Although they may not have been the greatest player or may have played under Lavin, they grew dear to my heart and in ten years I will still remember them fondly....K love, I'll probably just cheer for him, but good luck and good for him.

by dijonplease on Apr 17, 2008 4:13 PM PDT reply actions

He Didn't Hire An Agent, I'm Still In Denial!

If Portland wins the NBA draft lottery they won't be in a position to draft K-Love anymore.

How much do I need to pay the Lakers and Clippers to tell K-Love to go back to UCLA for one more year?

by alcor805 on Apr 17, 2008 4:14 PM PDT reply actions

Would Portland even draft Love

with Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge already on their roster?

Forget the Lakers. They don't even have a 1st round pick this year (and definitely don't need size).

The Clippers? Maybe

BTW, the chance of Portland winning the lottery: 0.6%

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 17, 2008 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

i know i'm being hopeful, but if u think about it

he didn't hire an agent...money is not the issue...i dunno, even though the chances are low, there is still a chance he could return. I think camp will be important...he'll learn his weaknesses...plus i just think that if he had the true one and done mentality he would have hired an agent today as well, why then go into the camp without the agent if you are 100% sure...

by uCla on Apr 17, 2008 4:26 PM PDT reply actions