Team USA Has an Explanation for Controversial Pick Kevin Love

Kevin Love isn’t the player he once was, so when the former All-Star landed on the USA basketball team, some questioned why he was on the roster. Jalen Rose then poured gasoline on things when he said Love was only selected so the team could have a Token White Player. Rose later walked back those comments.

Jalen Rose Walks Back Comment Calling Kevin Love ‘Token White Player’ On Team USAhttps://t.co/W4LZZGxGTD

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Team USA director Jerry Colangelo defended his choice to keep Love around as the Americans try to claim a fourth straight gold medal in Japan.

The best reason to say why Kevin Love as an extra big was because of his international experience,” Colangelo said, via the New York Post. “Yes it’s true he hasn’t played much of anything the last couple of years, but the skills he brings to the table and commitment he’s made to physical conditioning, he’s a versatile guy up front who can rebound and hit shots.

“Who’s to say how many minutes a guy will play? You’re not playing all 12 players. It was a matter of filling out the roster with role players.”

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Love has definitely earned a spot on the team. He hasn’t played much the last few years, but when healthy and motivated, he can be a pretty great role player.

Any player who has won on Team USA before should get an automatic chance to play again, as long as they’re still actively playing professionally of course.

Now if they added Tyler Herro to the team, now that would be racially motivated.

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