Dan Patrick Throws Shade at Kevin Love While Talking About Cooper Flagg,  But Miami Heat Veteran’s Response Wins Hearts

Miami Heat veteran Kevin Love has a heartwarming response to sportscaster Dan Patrick’s sharp remarks about his briefly-successful NBA career. Patrick’s comments came while talking about college basketball prodigy Cooper Flagg. The Duke Blue Devils star is a hot name in the current collegiate basketball scenario. Projected to be the number one pick in the NBA 2025 drafts, Flagg has simply been unstoppable for his side. 

With less than three months to go for 2025 Draft, Flagg has received high praises from players and pundits, including from Dan Patrick. In the latest episode of Dan Patrick Show, the veteran sportscaster, while praising the 18-year-old, took a jab at Miami Heat’s veteran forward Kevin Love.

Patrick said, “He’s really aware of getting everybody involved and it makes them a better team. He’s not as aggressive as he’s going to be in the NBA. If you start to look at player comps, automatically you’re going to go to a white guy who’s 6’8” or so now listed at 6’9”. But is he a Larry Bird type of player?” 

Patrick further remarked that if Flagg’s career were to resemble that of Kevin Love’s, it might be considered a disappointment.

He added, “If you said his career was going to be like Kevin LS would that be a disappointment. And it probably would be because this is somebody who scrimmaged against the Olympic team.”

However, Love didn’t get offended by Patrick’s remark and hailed himself as a huge fan of Cooper Flagg. He responded on X by saying, “For those who will take this as a shot at me…I don’t take it as such. I was pure skill & will.” Love called Cooper more talented while indirectly suggesting that he will have a legendary career in the NBA. He added, “Cooper is far more talented than I ever was, and if he stays healthy, he will have a far better career. He could very well have a statue by the time he’s finished. I’m a HUGE fan.” 

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Fans in Awe of Kevin Love’s “Classy” Response

Love’s comment quickly went viral as fans praised the veteran forward for his response.

Check out some reaction:

While Love has had a struggling NBA campaign, his past records speak differently about him. He was picked fifth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2008 draft and was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After finishing the first and second seasons with an average of 11.1 points and 14 points, respectively, Love made it to his first All-Star Game in 2011. 

By that time, he had established himself as Timberwolves’ go-to player. He won the NBA Most Improved Player Award after increasing his points per game by 44% and rebounds to 38%. In his final year for the Timberwolves, Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, his career-highest. 

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Love spent the next nine seasons with the Cavaliers before moving to the Miami Heat in 2022-23. While Love was a dominating force in the beginning of his career, injuries began to take over his body and his role was reduced to supporting.