(Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves)
Among all the U.S. participants in last summer's FIBA tournament, no player has shot down their critics more than Kevin Love. After all, of all the players on Team USA, Kevin Love seemed to be the only one with critics in the first place. Derrick Rose was always considered to be one day MVP, Russell Westbrook became a better all around player as most expected him to, but Kevin Love came into this season and went from being doubted to praised.
I first started reading about Kevin Love from magazine excerpts, mostly which involved him defending himself against naysayers and the lack of confidence they had in his ability. Not being one to follow the leader, I took it upon myself to see if this young man deserved this kind of negative attention. Fortunately, I was able to watch the majority of Team USA games during the FIBA tournament and immediately knew the rumors had been false. His ability to defend the rim during those summer games reminded me of players past who's goal was to defend and rebound, then if they could, score. Personalities I think are becoming far and few between these days among the younger generation of players.
I first started reading about Kevin Love from magazine excerpts, mostly which involved him defending himself against naysayers and the lack of confidence they had in his ability. Not being one to follow the leader, I took it upon myself to see if this young man deserved this kind of negative attention. Fortunately, I was able to watch the majority of Team USA games during the FIBA tournament and immediately knew the rumors had been false. His ability to defend the rim during those summer games reminded me of players past who's goal was to defend and rebound, then if they could, score. Personalities I think are becoming far and few between these days among the younger generation of players.
Most Improved Player:
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
When breaking down Kevin Love's improvement this year, or any Most Improved Player for that matter, it's hard not to focus on the numbers. True, the Timberwolves are no where near to making the playoffs, but Love's season success is supported by just that, numbers. Entering the league out of UCLA in 2008, he averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds. Decent numbers for a rookie. The year after that, he improved to around 14 points and 11 rebounds per game. A slight but noticeable improvement. However, after winning gold in last year's FIBA tournament, he returned to the NBA dropping 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds per game, had a 30 point 30 rebound game, made the West All-Star team, and would break NBA legend and champion Moses Malone's record of 51 straight double-doubles, with 52. Moses Malone was honored with the 1979 MVP award that year.
You would think that would be enough to to quiet the hate, but there is more. Love is currently ranked #1 in Rebounds and ranked 16th in points scored. In a league dominated by scoring guards with the likes of Kobe, Wade, Rose, Westbrook and Williams to name a few, that makes this 2nd year Power Forward's stat lines all the more impressive.
Even if Kevin Love doesn't win the Most Improved Player award this year, there is no doubt that is exactly what he is. As the saying goes, numbers don't lie.
You would think that would be enough to to quiet the hate, but there is more. Love is currently ranked #1 in Rebounds and ranked 16th in points scored. In a league dominated by scoring guards with the likes of Kobe, Wade, Rose, Westbrook and Williams to name a few, that makes this 2nd year Power Forward's stat lines all the more impressive.
Even if Kevin Love doesn't win the Most Improved Player award this year, there is no doubt that is exactly what he is. As the saying goes, numbers don't lie.
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