Ray Richardson, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. –
If Kevin Love keeps this up, it won’t seem so extraordinary to hear him mentioned along with LeBron James or Kevin Durant as a candidate for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
Love is edging into those conversations as he continues to put up rare numbers for a power forward. In the Timberwolves’ past three games, he is averaging 34.6 points and 12.3 rebounds, has made 11 three-pointers and is asserting himself as a go-to player with the game on the line.
“The guys who take and make shots at the end of games, those are the guys who often get mentioned for MVP,” Wolves coach Rick Adelman said. “Kevin is worthy of that consideration. He deserves to be talked about in that area.”
The MVP talk would become more serious if the
Wolves (20-19), who face Portland tonight at Target Center, keep winning and secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Love’s numbers this season are comparable to any of the elite MVP contenders, but what separates Love from James, Durant, Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose is his team’s near-.500 record.
The issue is, how far can Love take the Wolves? That question is not as difficult to answer in Miami with James, in Los Angeles with Bryant, in Oklahoma City with Durant or in Chicago with Rose. All four of those teams have had regular-season and postseason success.
Rose, the 2010-11 MVP, was in his third season last year when he led Chicago to the NBA’s best record (62-20) and the Eastern Conference finals.
“When you look at
Kevin’s numbers, he can be there with the rest of them, but you have to think about what type of team we are,” said Wolves assistant coach Terry Porter, who appeared in 16 playoffs during his 17-year NBA career. “We’re not that type of team yet. No doubt, we’re making progress.”
Love’s performance already has helped the Wolves surpass last season’s win total (17). The Wolves are also only 1-1/2 games behind Houston for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot with 27 games left.
Love
is probably a long shot to win MVP this season, but just to be mentioned in the discussion is an image boost for the Wolves, who haven’t had an MVP since Kevin Garnett in 2004.
Love did his best to downplay the surging MVP talk after Tuesday’s practice, preferring to focus on tonight’s game and his teammates.
“It’s very humbling and a blessing at the same time,” Love said. “But for everybody involved, not just me, the coaches, Ricky (Rubio)…the more we win, the more all the other stuff will get taken care of. The individual accolades will come, but I’m not really thinking about that. I’m just trying to go out there and help us win.”
Love’s profile continues to rise. He has made back-to-back All-Star Game appearances and has earned praise from former NBA rebounding greats Moses Malone and Charles Barkley, who has referred to Love as the “best power forward in the NBA.”
Even the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium at Mall of America has recognized Love’s multiple talents, naming a new octopus after the fourth-year forward. Love will help unveil the multi-limbed creature, named “K-Love,” on Thursday.
The promotion is in part a testament to Love’s versatility. He has made the three-point shot a key element to his game. Love, averaging 25.4 points and 13.7 rebounds, is shooting 36 percent (60 of 166) from three-point range and won the three-point contest during the all-star weekend in Orlando. He has become an inside and outside dilemma for opponents, particularly in late-game situations.
Love beat the Los Angeles Clippers with a three-pointer at the buzzer Jan. 20, then beat them with two strong inside moves Monday night in the final minute and 28 seconds of the fourth quarter.
“It’s about having confidence in what I can do at the end of games,” Love said. “I know I can get to the line and make free throws. I can hit the jump shot or post up. The more I’m put in that situation, the more success I’ll have.”
And maybe more MVP votes.
Pekovic still uncertain
Adelman said he’s not sure whether center Nikola Pekovic, out with a sore right foot, will be available for tonight’s game against Portland.
Pekovic, who missed Monday’s game against the Clippers, participated in the Wolves’ light practice Tuesday, but the team did not scrimmage or do any running.
“He told me he’s feeling better, but he said it’s still a little sore,” Adelman said of Pekovic.
Pekovic has been the Wolves’ starting center since Feb. 4. Darko Miliic is expected to start tonight if Pekovic is can’t to play.
