Being trapped on the perennially terrible Timberwolves hasn't stopped Kevin Love from making this list, nor has it stopped him from becoming one of the best power forwards in the NBA. In fact Kevin Love seems to be succeeding in spite the ineptitude of his head coach, Kurt Rambis, his GM David Kahn and the lack of overall talent on the roster.
Love is considered by many analysts and fans to be a "throwback" type of PF talent, in that he hangs hit hat on rebounding and low post play, not the face up perimeter game that is utilized by so many modern power forwards. His outlet passes after a defensive rebound have drawn comparisons to the great Wes Unseld, and indeed he was a player Love looked up to as a youngster.
Rebounding is surely his hallmark trait. On November 12, Love put up a staggering stat line against the New York Knicks with 31 points and 31 rebounds. The 30-30 night was the 19th in NBA history, and the first in the league since Moses Malone did it in 1982. His 31 rebounds were the most since Charles Barkley grabbed 33 rebounds in 1996.
While he is best known for his rebounding, Love has developed an overall game and has even added deep shooting range to his repertoire this season. Perhaps no stat shows that all-around impact better than his league leading efficiency rating of 29.6, besting the likes of Dwight Howard and Lebron James in that category. He is averaging 21.6 points per game to go along with his league leading 15.6 rebounds per game. Love is also one of only a handful of 20 point scorers to be shooting 3s at a clip of 40% or better at 44%. If you think that percentage is a result of low attempts you'd be wrong as he averages more than 3 3PA each game.
Love is one of many NBA players this season who seem to have benefited tremendously from his time on Team USA over the summer, competing in the World Championships with Coach K. Also on that roster were Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gay, Steph Curry and Tyson Chandler who are all seeing great improvements in their play. Team USA won the gold medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, defeating Turkey in the medal game. Love along with many of his teammates on that squad has expressed an interest in joining members of the "Redeem Team" from the 2008 Olympics in London for the 2012 games.
Love's 2010-2011 season has finally put him on the map, as he hopes to be a coaches selection for the All-Star game (and would be a total snub if left off the roster) and he is a big part of a new regime of young talent in the NBA. By most accounts, Love has a very likable personality, and has been a guest of the B.S. Report podcast with Bill Simmons on a number of occasions. He seems to be an athlete that doesn't take himself too seriously and has a good sense of humor.
Just 22 years of age, Kevin Love has many good seasons ahead of him in the NBA - although for his sake hopefully not too many more in Minnesota.
I love it.
*Editor's note - Didn't plan it this way, but #24 was 24 years of age, #23 23 years of age and #22 22 years of age...no word yet on if #21 is 21 or not. Weird.
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