Love: "I meant what I said," but...

Kevin Love talked after shootaround today about his comments in Tuesday's Yahoo!Sports story and...

He said he stood by everything quoted in the story, but added he said many positives things about the franchise and where it is headed that weren't printed.

He also said next time he'll keep his thoughts within the organization.

There apparently was an urgent reaction from the organization about it because Love met with David Kahn and Rick Adelman on Tuesday shortly after the story hit the Web and Love said he plans to talk to owner Glen Taylor about his comments.

"I meant what I said, I told David there's nothing to apologize about," Love said. "The only thing I was sorry about is that I did in public and if there's a learning expereince from that, it's not to do that again.

"A lot of athletes these days say the right thing and aren't outspoken. I happen to be in this article. I'm not going to go forward and say I have anything to apologize about. I said what I felt. I didn't mean to alienate my team, my coaches, the organization or more importantly the fans...I said a lot of things about the team and were we're at this point and I'll continue to say it throughout the year because that's how I feel."

Last summer, Love was very public in his call for Kahn and Taylor to improve the team.

"I'm not going to fall back and say I didn't mean the things that I said. I do believe this is the closest knit team that we've had. The coaching staff has been great and we have a chance to make something very special this year and for years to come. I'm definitely happy with...I've mentioned it this summer, it keeps coming up again. The acquisitions we made this off-season, I'm very happy with. As far as the state of the team, I think we're fine."

When asked if wants to be the cornerstone of this franchise long term, he said, "Oh absolutely. One of the big points, I want to be here for five years. I'd love to end my career as a Timberwolf."

Maybe the most interesting, new thing he said in the story written by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski were his comments about saving the team's lone five-year rookie contraction extension, which now could be used for Ricky Rubio.

He called it making a decision projecting a player's arc over a "sure thing," him.

Fifteen years ago, the Wolves' future was changed forever because of contract jealousy between Steph Marbury and Kevin Garnett.

"I never have a problem with anybody getting paid. If there's one guy to get on the team it's Ricky Rubio. I've kind of been enamored with him since he got here. He's a pass-first point guard, a guy I haven't really played with before. I'm not going to pick favorites but he's one of my favorites teammates and one of the best guys to be around. And I've mentioned since Day 1that it's refreshing to be around him because he loves the game so much

"If he were to get paid that, then I'm happy for him. Ricky is a tremendous player. I just hope he comes back and helps us very soon."

That "very soon" won't be tonight because Rubio, as I posted earlier, will not make his season debut against the Nuggets.