NBA: Can We Talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love Yet?

Kevin Love is having an outrageously productive season.

With all the hype surrounding young stars like Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose, the general reaction to Kevin Love's ridiculous 20 and 15 or even 30 and 20 nights is a mere, "Oh, that's nice."

This season, Kevin Love's name is etching itself into the history books alongside players like Moses Malone, Shaquille O'Neal and even Wilt Chamberlain, but yet the general reaction to Love seems to be the same way we look at Jimmer Fredette—sure the statistics are good, but are they elite players?

Rebounds Per Game

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs the rebound in the first half against the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Kevin Love is averaging 15.5 rebounds per game.

When looking at rebounds, you have to toss out all of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain's statistics because otherwise no one will ever look impressive (Chamberlain had a career average of 22.9 per game, Russell 22.5).

But amongst the mortal basketball players, 15.5 for a whole season ranks incredibly high. Dwight Howard has never done it, Shaquille O'Neal never did it and even Ben Wallace in 2002-03 fell slightly short at 15.4.

Kevin Love's rebound totals this year rank him next to guys like Dennis Rodman (review his rebound totals—for all his weirdness, Rodman was a more dominant force than we realize) and the early Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Double-Double Streak

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: NBA Kevin Love arrives to the T-Mobile Magenta Carpet at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Kevin Love has 46 straight double-doubles. The record is 50 by Moses Malone.

The last time Love didn't have a double-double was November 19 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Love had his worst game of the season recording less than a single-single with zero points and seven rebounds.

To reach 47 games, he will have to figure out a way to score and rebound against the Lakers tomorrow night.

Double-Doubles on the Year

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs the rebound before Marquis Daniels #8 of the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

He has 55 total double-doubles on the year.

That's five more than Blake Griffin, seven more than Dwight Howard and 12 more than the underrated Zach Randolph.

Points Per Game

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs the rebound in the first half against the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

With all the focus on Kevin Love's rebounding ability, his 21 ppg tends to be overlooked.

Last night, Love went off for 37 points and solidified his spot in the top 20 for scoring in the NBA. He's right in the middle of Danny Granger and Deron Williams.

Three Point Shooting

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high fives teammate Martell Webster #5 during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128

Kevin Love is shooting 42 percent from behind the arc.

That's better than Dirk Nowitzki.

Coaches would never trust Dwight Howard or Zach Randolph to launch up a three pointer, but Love has the green light.

Why Is He Overlooked? His Size

Handout/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JULY 21: In this handout photo provided by Las Vegas News Bureau, Rudy Gay (L) plays against Kevin Love during a USA Basketball Men�s National Team workout at the Cox Pavilion on Wednesday July 21, 2010 in Las Vegas Nevada. (Photo by Brian J

Kevin Love does not have a dominant seven foot figure.

At 6'10 (probably more of a 6'8), 260 lbs, Kevin Love doesn't physically intimidate opponents. Part of what makes Dwight Howard so appealing to fans is the physique and Kevin Love appears to be more of that dominant rec-center player and less world class athlete.

His Style

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - MARCH 16: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on March 16, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 152-114. NOTE TO USER: Us

Blake Griffin's dunks are why we talk more about the Clippers star than about Kevin Love.

Love does not have nearly as many electrifying moments on the floor. He plays a consistent, old-school, non-flashy type of game that results in eye-popping bottom line statistics but not jaw-dropping Sportscenter Top Ten dunks.

Would He Play for My Team Factor

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a foul shot against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics won 99-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

Would you start Kevin Love on the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat or San Antonio Spurs?

I think part of why Kevin Love isn't considered to be an elite big man is because he might not even start for the top teams in the NBA. He's not a true center and at power forward I would still go with Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol and Amare Stoudemire over Minnesota's All-Star.

Why Isn't His Team Winning More?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: NBA player Blake Griffin arrives to the T-Mobile Magenta Carpet at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Derrick Rose has his team at 40-17.

LaMarcus Aldridge has carried his injured team to a 33-26 record.

Blake Griffin has the Clippers at 21-39.

Kevin Love's team only has 14 wins.

Stars in the NBA are judged on their ability to carry their team to the playoffs. I think what hurts Kevin Love is the feeling that if you took him off the Timberwolves they would still have around 10 wins and with him they are only a few games better.

Verdict

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches the Taco Bell Skills Challenge apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Imag

Kevin Love is for sure an All-Star in this league. The records he's setting this year speak for themselves and a 20 ppg, 15 rpg is incredibly rare to see.

However, he is not in the same conversation as Shaquille O'Neal and Moses Malone. He's still not quite a first team all-NBA type of guy, but is well on his way to getting there in a few years.

Kevin Love is not a fluke and it is officially okay for us to start talking about him with the other big names in the league.