Opposites attract

Timberwolves star Kevin Love and the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin play the same position, average 20-something points and double-digit rebounds each and are nearly as equally important for their respective teams. But that's where the comparisons end for the two power forwards, at least if you're looking through Clippers coach Doc Rivers' eyes.

"I'm glad I'm not guarding either one," Rivers said. "That's the way I look at it. It's amazing how often they're compared and how different they are. And you couldn't have two more different players. When you look at just numbers, they look the same. But they're completely different players, both terrific in their own right."

One man's take

With a season away as perspective, Brooklyn forward Andrei Kirilenko on former Wolves teammate Ricky Rubio: "I've been lucky over my career to play with great point guards, starting with John Stockton, then Deron [former Utah and now current Nets teammate Deron Williams] and Ricky, those guys who really see the floor. He's not necessarily a great shooter or great scorer, but he's probably one of the best, let's say, engine for the team. He's very energetic, very active. He's always there to intercept the ball, getting the ball, jumping to the fast break and just igniting the team."

Parting words

TNT analyst Charles Barkley has long said Griffin needs to get tougher and expand his game if the Clippers intend to go anywhere in the playoffs.

During Thursday's loss at Oklahoma City, Griffin looked over and glared at Barkley — who was sitting courtside doing game commentary that night — whenever he made a jumper.

Barkley's crusade continues, however: "Blake is a very good player," he said during Thursday's telecast. "But before he can become a great player, he has to develop a low-post game."