2012 All-NBA First Team: Where Is the Love?

Love continues to impress peers, teammates and fans across the NBA world. But will he get the recognition he deserves come the end of the season? NBA history tells us he should but recent voting trends tell us otherwise. 

Love’s 26.6 point per game (PPG) and 13.9 rebounds per game (RPG) rank third and second respectively amongst the entire league this season. Additionally, the defending three point champ is also fourth in minutes played this season and second in free throws made. 

With 14 games left for the Timberwolves in the regular season, Love is on pace to finish in the top five in scoring and rebounding, an impressive feat which has occurred in nine out of the last 20 seasons. If given All-NBA First Team recognition, Love would join an impressive list of five all time greats, all with a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award under their belt. 

Player	Season	PPG (Rank)	RPG (Rank)	All NBA Team	MVP Voting
Kevin Garnett	'03-'04	24.2 (3)	13.9 (1)	1st	1st
Tim Duncan	'01-'02	25.5 (5)	12.7 (2)	1st	1st
Shaquille O’Neal	'00-'01	28.7 (3)	12.7 (3)	1st	2nd  (Iverson)
Shaquille O’Neal	'99-'00	29.7 (1)	13.6 (2)	1st	1st
David Robinson	'95-'96	25.0 (5)	12.2 (2)	1st	2nd  (Jordan)
Shaquille O’Neal	'94-'95	29.3 (1)	11.4 (3)	2nd	2nd  (Robinson)
Hakeem Olajuwon	'93-'94	27.3 (3)	11.9 (4)	1st	1st
Shaquille O’Neal	'93-'94	29.3 (2)	13.2 (2)	3rd	4th (Olajuwon)
Hakeem Olajuwon	'92-'93	26.1 (4)	13.0 (4)	1st	2nd (Barkley)

Comparing Love’s season (thus far) to those above indicate just how impressive the fourth year forward has been in Minnesota. The common eye test of Love’s season supports the argument that he is worth both MVP and All-NBA First Team consideration. But a more focused look at the competition this season and voter trends tell a different story.

The disadvantages Love has in voting are not complex. First, his game is not necessarily “highlight worthy", compared to that of a Lebron James or a Blake Griffin. Plus, Minnesota does not get the media attention that markets like New York and Los Angeles receive. Both factors have been unfairly added to the criteria by the sportswriters who constitute the voting panel.

But the big elephant in the room when comparing Love to the rest of the top tier NBA talent is his team’s win total. Although the Timberwolves have overachieved in some respects this year (25-27), they’re likely headed to a sub .500 record, barring a late season win streak that could potentially land them as the eight seed in the Western Conference playoffs (currently 2.5 games out). Not only do the Heat’s, Thunder’s, and Lakers’ MVP candidates have their teams at the top of the NBA class, players like Garnett, Duncan, O’Neal, Robinson, and Olajuwon who had similar seasons to Love all had their teams in title contention during their respective impressive seasons.

Love is not likely to be considered for this season’s MVP award. Some will argue that the MVP award should not be judged by the record of the candidate’s team, but purely judged on that individual's achievements. But where Love’s accolades will not be considered in the MVP race, they should be considered during voting for the All-NBA first team this year. 

What’s truly unfortunate for Love’s candidacy is the competition at the two forward spots this year.  Historically, All-NBA team selections are chosen on a traditional starting five lineup which has two guards, two forwards, and one center.  In my estimation this season, four players have sealed five of those spots: Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwight Howard. Given this assumption, it’s obvious that MVP candidates James and Durant will occupy the two forward spots, leaving one guard spot open next to Kobe Bryant. 

If we threw traditional lineups out the window, Love’s season should earn him that fifth spot as being considered one of the top five players of the '11-'12 season. But the argument will come down to whether or not the panel of sportswriters vote against diverging from the norm to select a true guard to fulfill that fifth spot with a player like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, or Dwayne Wade. All three deserve consideration for impressive seasons.

A playoff appearance for the Timberwolves, who haven’t smelt the postseason since 2004, could be Love’s saving grace in his quest to be considered one of the league’s elite. Unfortunately, given the uphill battle that the 'Wolves will face, that doesn't seem likely this year.