Kevin Love Named NBA's Most Improved Player

Rumors of Minnesota forward Kevin Love being named Most Improved Player were confirmed on Thursday, April 21. Love officially received the award during a 2 p.m. CT press conference held in Minneapolis.

Every year, members of the U.S. and Canadian media vote on the season’s candidates for the Most Improved Player. Of 580 possible points, Love received 400—including 66 of 116 possible first-place votes. Love came in ahead of Portland’s LaMarcus Alderidge (157 points) and Golden State’s Dorrell Wright (124 points).

David Kahn, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Director of Basketball Operations, had nothing but praise to offer Love:

“Kevin deserves an enormous amount of credit,” Kahn said, “not only for what he accomplished on the court but for the kind of dedication and the fortitude he exhibited a year ago today all the way through last summer.”

Throughout the season, the forward out of UCLA averaged 20.2 PPG and led the league in rebounds per game with 15.2.

In receiving the award, Love further solidified his reputation as an athlete who is both humble and extremely generous. Along with the recognition of Most Improved Player, Love was given a Kia Sorrento SUV. According to SI.com, he decided against accepting the vehicle. Instead, Love donated the SUV to the Dylan Witschen Foundation.

Individuals from around the NBA have raved about Love’s success this season.

A few weeks ago, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau commented, “When you average 20 and 15 in this league, that says a lot. It says a lot about how he’s improved from year to year. He’s a guy that plays hard all the time and will continue to improve from year to year.”

Despite certainly having much time in the spotlight, Love is never one to revel in it too long. According to foxsports.com, Love said that he would trade all of his personal accomplishments for more victories as a team. The Timberwolves finished this season with a 17-65 record.

Click here to read more about Thursday’s press conference and Love’s overall season.