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ISTANBUL -- One of the big mysteries surrounding Team USA at the FIBA World Championship is why Kevin Love's playing time has been so limited.

He has been, by far, the most productive and aggressive player for the Americans when it comes to producing points and rebounds off the bench, but he is playing behind Andre Iguodala at the 4 spot and behind Lamar Odom (and sometimes Tyson Chandler) at center.

In yesterday's victory over Iran, which I dissected in my postgame column with a critical eye regarding the Americans' offense, Love led the team in scoring with 13 points despite playing the fewest minutes (just under 11) of anyone on the roster.

"I just go out there and try to be productive. Coach said today everybody's in their roles," Love told ESPN.com. "I think for me, I know Lamar is going to be the starting center, and he's going to play a lot of minutes. So when I get the chance to come in, whether I'm playing 5 minutes or 25 minutes, I have to get the job done. And I feel I've done a good job contributing thus far."

Love played only 5:20 in Team USA's 2-point victory over Brazil, 13:24 in the 22-point victory over Slovenia and 13:14 in Team's USA's tournament-opening 28-point victory over Croatia.

That's a total of just 42 minutes in five games, yet Love leads Team USA in total rebounds with 28 (Kevin Durant is second with 27, and Odom has 26) and in offensive rebounds with 10 (Iguodala is second with 6). He also has shot 50 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent overall, and he is the team's fifth leading scorer (8.3 ppg) behind Durant (18.8), Chauncey Billups (10.0), Derrick Rose (9.5) and Rudy Gay (9.0).

funkatron101 wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/19616/team-usa-no-love-for-love-from-coach-k

ISTANBUL -- One of the big mysteries surrounding Team USA at the FIBA World Championship is why Kevin Love's playing time has been so limited.

He has been, by far, the most productive and aggressive player for the Americans when it comes to producing points and rebounds off the bench, but he is playing behind Andre Iguodala at the 4 spot and behind Lamar Odom (and sometimes Tyson Chandler) at center.

In yesterday's victory over Iran, which I dissected in my postgame column with a critical eye regarding the Americans' offense, Love led the team in scoring with 13 points despite playing the fewest minutes (just under 11) of anyone on the roster.

"I just go out there and try to be productive. Coach said today everybody's in their roles," Love told ESPN.com. "I think for me, I know Lamar is going to be the starting center, and he's going to play a lot of minutes. So when I get the chance to come in, whether I'm playing 5 minutes or 25 minutes, I have to get the job done. And I feel I've done a good job contributing thus far."

Love played only 5:20 in Team USA's 2-point victory over Brazil, 13:24 in the 22-point victory over Slovenia and 13:14 in Team's USA's tournament-opening 28-point victory over Croatia.

That's a total of just 42 minutes in five games, yet Love leads Team USA in total rebounds with 28 (Kevin Durant is second with 27, and Odom has 26) and in offensive rebounds with 10 (Iguodala is second with 6). He also has shot 50 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent overall, and he is the team's fifth leading scorer (8.3 ppg) behind Durant (18.8), Chauncey Billups (10.0), Derrick Rose (9.5) and Rudy Gay (9.0).

First Rambis, then Krzyzewski. I see a pattern here.

southern wolf wrote:I wonder who he feels more appreciated by now?

Worm Guts wrote:

southern wolf wrote:I wonder who he feels more appreciated by now?

What is that supposed to mean? Coming off the bench for a team full of borderline all stars isn't the same as getting your minutes sniped by Ryan Hollins.

Worm Guts wrote:Don't compare coming off the bench for Team USA to coming off the bench for the Wolves.

Vindicater wrote:Yeah, I see an elite level high energy player who does not have the stamina to play extended minutes, yet for limited minutes will be the best player on the court. I see a player who if he accepts his limitations could build upon his strengths and be a multiple 6th man of the year award winner who also claims 2-3 rings. (With the Timberwolves or not, I don't know. I hope the Timberwolves).

funkatron101 wrote:

Vindicater wrote:Yeah, I see an elite level high energy player who does not have the stamina to play extended minutes, yet for limited minutes will be the best player on the court. I see a player who if he accepts his limitations could build upon his strengths and be a multiple 6th man of the year award winner who also claims 2-3 rings. (With the Timberwolves or not, I don't know. I hope the Timberwolves).

That's the point I was getting at. Everyone says "This guy is elite, why isn't he playing more?" Whether it's on the Wolves, or Team USA. Yet both coaches have limited his minutes. Have they determined that he just can't physically play more, or is it something else?

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

LordBaldric wrote:I hope Love gets traded to a team where the fans appreciate his talents. Way too many haters on this board. I hope you guys are psyched up for Supercool "dumbass" Beas...

Breakdown777 wrote:I'm pretty sure it's Love's D that hinders his minutes...in both situations. I know he stuck to Barbosa like glue to alter the buzzer beater attempt, giving us the win vs. Brazil, but I think that Love just isn't needed as much, and with the speed of many players from around the world...it makes sense to play a fast big man or a shot blocker....Love is neither.

Good performance in limited minutes is still good performance, I don't have much of a problem with it as long as he figures out a way to stay on the floor longer.

Breakdown777 wrote:it makes sense to play a fast big man or a shot blocker....Love is neither