[K]evin Love hauls in a little more than one in every five rebounds available. That might not seem...

[K]evin Love hauls in a little more than one in every five rebounds available. That might not seem like much, but that's usually enough to lead the league. At age 21 last season, he pulled in 21.5 percent of all available rebounds, which was a better mark (20.5, sucker) that Dwight Howard(notes) managed at the same age. He is monstrous on the glass.

Also, 14 points per game? On a team with an offense that never worked and point guards who rarely passed? In 28.6 minutes per game? Timberwolves fans, do you remember a play being called for Love last season? I don't, and he still managed a double-double. Those weren't all tip-ins, you know.

Yet, he still doesn't play. And people who are paid to coach or analyze pro hoops -- Love has "gotten better as a rebounder?" That's like saying Yao Ming(notes) has gotten better at being tall -- are seeing something that I don't see. They refuse to appreciate what he does, and instead insist on emphasizing what he doesn't do well. And it's hurting their teams.

Kelly Dwyer @ "Ball Don't Lie": Kevin Love is still on the bench

over 1 year ago Nestor 9 comments 0 recs |

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Dwyer is the best in the biz in terms of mainstream NBA writers

And he’s dead-on about Love. Great instincts on the court whenever I see him play.

If I had to guess why he doesn’t play as much, it’s because his hustle and energy are best suited off the bench and he’s still young. With Jefferson gone from Minnesota he should get the chance next season. Rambis runs the triangle and I feel Love can bring a lot to it with his passing and rebounding.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Sep 9, 2010 11:40 PM PDT reply actions

Good points

I kind of with K Love was playing with another team. Just don’t see that franchise going anywhere in Minnesota. Good luck to the Bears this weekend A.

by Nestor on Sep 10, 2010 4:42 AM PDT up reply actions

And, as we know

no one makes a better outlet pass. I’ve seen him on TV a few times and that skill still manifests itself.

I, too, wish he were on another team — including ours.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Sep 10, 2010 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

Ahh...what could have been.

A theoretically possible roster we could have had for the coming season:
guards: Lee, Anderson, Holiday, Lamb, Jones (?), Carlino (?)
forwards: Stanback, Lane, Nelson, Honeycutt
centers: Love, Smith, Stover
With question marks that’s 13 players, but I’d guess one or both of them would not have been recruited if in this alternate world we had Holiday around.

Starters? I’d guess 1: JH, 2: ML, 3: TH, 3: RN or Stanback, 5: Love. Wow.

Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.

by KSBruin on Sep 10, 2010 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Still doesn't compare in my mind to the team we actually had in 08

Collison, Westbrook, Shipp, Mbah, and Love. 4 of the 5 are in the NBA and all 4 have started multiple times in their young careers. The Memphis game is my big what if, more than players leaving early.

by Sideout11 on Sep 10, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions