Timberwolves owner rips Kevin Love following trade to Cleveland

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor spoke out about the recent trade of franchise star Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers. More than that, he used it as a opportunity to criticize the three-time NBA All-Star.

The Timberwolves introduced several new players, including players received in the trade, at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday. Taylor said Love was going to have to adjust to being a third wheel behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

"I question Kevin if this is going to be the best deal for him because I think he's going to be the third player on a team. I don't think he's going to get a lot of credit if they do really well. I think he'll get the blame if they don't do well. He's going to have to learn to handle that.

Taylor also criticized Love's defensive effort and that he got away with things in Minnesota that he might not in Cleveland.

"I think he's around a couple guys are awful good. Now I'm not saying that Kevin's not good, but I think where maybe he got away with some stuff, not playing defense on our team, I'm not sure how that's going to work in Cleveland. So I would guess they're going to ask him to play more defense. And he's foul-prone," Taylor said.

Taylor maintained that he and Love are still friends, all criticism aside. That said, this is not the first time Taylor has publicly criticized a former franchise icon after being jettisoned from the team. In 2008, Taylor accused Kevin Garnett of "tanking" at the end of the NBA season.