Kevin Love talked about his two-game suspension after practice today.

He said the NBA suspension is "warranted" and said he apologized to Scola after the game and then talked to him another 15 to 20 minutes again later than night.

Here is some of what he said:

"I feel like it was a learning experience for me and it definitely won't happen again. But there were no ill intentions in that step. I wasn't trying to stomp on him like people said or anything…

"I don't want to be known for that. I want to be known as a standup guy that happened to make a mistake with his size 19 shoe and just move on."

Asked if he thought the incident damages his reputation, he said, "No, if it does from the common fan's standpoint, I'll just have to win their respect back and make them like me again. I have no problem doing that. I know the type of person I am and I feel like you guys (reporters) and people who know me know the type of person I am. I don't think it will affect my reputation."

The Wolves now will play Tuesday against Sacramento and Wednesday at Memphis without him after having just reached a .500 record with consecutive victories.

"That's it more than anything," Love said. "We've got to get past these next two games. We've just got to take it one game at a time. I'm going to stay in shape. I'll be ready to go when the time comes and I'll have some rest. I just wish I could be here to cheer them on for both games, but that's not going to be the case."

Love talked with an NBA security official in a recorded conversation to give his side of the story, but said he wished he could have talked to NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson, who made the decision, about it.

Saturday night's stepping was the latest in what seems like a growing issue with Love, who fouled Danny Granger hard out of frustration last week and complains to officials about their work in nightly conversations.

"It has been a chippy year," Love said. "Not only us, not only the Pacers, the Rockets, nothing like that. It's a lot of games and guys are tired and games are being drawn out and guys are being worn down. For me and for us, it's no different. And for the refs as well. They have to go over film like we do, maybe even more. You got to respect them as well."

He also released an apology through the Wolves that read like this:

"I want to publicly apologize to Luis Scola and the Houston Rockets. My intention is to never hurt another player on the basketball court. I've always had the utmost respect for the game of basketball and all of my opponents. I also apologize to my coaches, teammates and our fans for the consequences of my actions."