Where's the Love? Kevin Love Flying Under the Radar with an MVP-Like Season
These days, it’s all about a flair for the dramatics. Turn on a highlight show and more than likely Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin is featured throwing down one monster slam after another. He’s become such a regular on these shows that SportsCenter created a top-10 countdown focused solely around Griffin.
But while Griffin may be one of the NBA’s fastest rising stars—averaging 22 points and 12.7 rebounds per game—little to no attention is being given to another one of the league’s up-and-comers. One who is arguably performing at a higher level than Griffin. That player is Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love.
Maybe it’s because his small-market team is currently in possession of the league’s second-worst record. Maybe it’s because of the media’s love affair with Griffin and his flashy dunks. Or maybe it’s because of the possibility of getting a Kobe-LeBron NBA Finals matchup.
Whatever the reason may be, Love is flying under the radar while having one of the greatest seasons in league history.
Through 40 games, the former UCLA standout is averaging career-highs with 21.5 points and 15.7 rebounds per game. More impressive is the fact that Love averages 10.8 defensive rebounds alone—only five other players in the league average more total rebounds.
His numbers stand up against the test of time as well.
Love’s rebounding numbers are the highest in the league since Dennis Rodman averaged 16.1 with the Chicago Bulls during the 1996-97 season. Furthermore, only six other players in league history have ever finished a season averaging more than 20 points and more than 15 rebounds per game. The last to do so was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar back in 1976, when he averaged 27.7 points and 16.9 rebounds respectively for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Only in his third year in the league, the thought of Love getting better with time is one that surely strikes fear in the hearts of opponents. Unfortunately for them, that thought is quickly becoming a reality. In his last five games, Love’s numbers have gone up to 27.6 points and 16.4 rebounds per game.
But while Love’s rebounding prowess has already been recognized as one of the best around the league, it’s his improved offensive production that has taken opponents by surprise.
After averaging 11.1 and 14.0 points per game in his first two seasons, Love seems to be dropping more than 20 points per game without breaking a sweat. Love can thank his increased shooting range and a larger focus on free throw shooting for that.
Coming into this season, Love shot a measly 29.6 percent from behind the arc. Through the first half of the season, Love is shooting at a blistering mark of 45.5 percent. His increased accuracy has him ranked eighth in the league and second among power forwards.
With his new-found three-point stroke, defenders now have to worry about guarding Love from the perimeter—leaving themselves more vulnerable to the drive.
In the past, if you knew Love was going to beat you to the rim, you’d foul him and take your chances at the free throw line. This season, that might not be the best of ideas. After only averaging 79.8 percent from the charity stripe in his first two seasons, Love has upped that number to 87.6 percent this season. He currently ranks 17th in the league and third among power forwards.
Take into consideration these two areas of improvement and Love’s increased offensive production comes as no surprise.
So while Griffin gets all the praise and attention from the media, Love is quietly proving why he is not only one of the best at his position, but one of the best the NBA has to offer.
And with the right change in location, Love has just what it takes to bring home the hardware that every basketball player dreams about from a young age—the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Try ignoring him then.
