Love, Team USA Prepare for Worlds

Jonah Ballow
Wolves Editor/Writer
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Wolves forward Kevin Love continues to stack up the frequent flier miles while joining Team USA in a jaunt around the world. The training began in Sin City over a month ago with trips to New York, Madrid, and Athens before the final stop in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday. A trimmed 12-man USA roster is now complete and ready to capture the coveted gold medal at the World Championship.

This specific squad does not feature Kobe, Wade, LeBron, or even Dwight Howard. However, once again, head coach Mike Krzyzewski has found a way to mold a group of athletic and undersized players. The Summer Olympics in London are two years away but the current-assembled roster is out to prove its worth in international competition.

"If we can somehow win the gold medal at the World Championships, it's going to be very tough to do but we have a chance," USA basketball and Wolves director of player personnel Tony Ronzone explained. "We get an automatic bid to 2012 in London. If we do not win it and take second or third, then we have to come back next summer and re-group and qualify for the Olympics in the America Championships, which will be held in Argentina next year."

In the most recent exhibition contest against Greece, Love returned to action at the center spot after missing some time with a bruised calf in New York and a head injury he suffered in the win over Lithuania. As Wolves fans have come accustom to seeing, Love compiled rebounds at an alarming rate with 12 boards in just over 11 minutes of game action. Six of the rebounds were on the offensive glass and the big man also connected on 4-for-8 of his field goal attempts for 10 points.

"That’s what I love. It’s very physical over here … not saying the NBA isn’t, but I think I’m very well-suited for this type of play and I got a chance to show that tonight," Love said in a postgame interview.

Now the real action begins at the site of the five preliminary round games at Abdi Ipekci Arena. Love and Team USA open against Croatia on Saturday night with live television coverage on ESPN Classic at 11 AM central and re-aired on ESPN2 at 10 PM central.

On usabasketball.com, Krzyzewski discussed Love's role following the impressive showing against Greece, "Not so much his standing but the fact that we can use him at different times. It’s not going to be always Tyson (Chandler) coming in for Lamar (Odom), it depends on situations. But he had a very strong performance. I thought Danny (Granger) did a good job too… it’s tough to play everybody. I thought they showed great attitudes, we’re in good health, and it will be situational with those guys."

Moving forward, Love adds an important dimension to a team that only features one 7-footer. Obviously, his rebounding efficiency is a valued attribute but Love also creates offensive scoring opportunities with his passing ability. On the defensive end of the floor, expect Love to jump in front of streaking opponents inside the FIBA's trapezoid lane.

"He's the only guy on our team that takes charges, and can get in the post, and put a body on some of these international fours and fives that are big and strong. He's going to help us down the road, coming up," Ronzone said.

Team USA will face Slovenia on Sunday, Brazil on Monday, Iran on September 1, and Tunisia on September 2 in the final preliminary matchup. Stay tuned to NBA.com and usabasketball.com for comprehensive coverage.

2010 USA Basketball Men’s World Championship Preliminary Round Schedule

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 USA - Croatia (ESPN Classic live 11 AM central / ESPN2 re-air at 11 PM central)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 Slovenia - USA (ESPN2 live 8:30 AM central / ESPN2 re-air at 5 PM central)

MONDAY, AUGUST 30 USA - Brazil (ESPN live 1:30 PM central / ESPN2 re-air at 10 PM central)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Iran - USA (ESPN live 11 AM central / ESPN2 re-air at 10 PM central)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 USA - Tunisia (ESPN2 live 8:30 AM central / ESPN2 re-air at 11:30 AM central)