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Hello Minnesota fans, I live in Oregon and I've followed Kevin Love since early in his high school career and I'm a big fan of his game... But here is my question, why isn't he getting more minutes?!?! I mean in the limited amount of minutes that he is given he has shown that he is a pretty good player in this League and he is already a top 5 rebounder. What does he have to do to earn more minutes.

I'd like to hear some opinions about him from those who watch him regularly, like is he capable of being a second scoring option, or is he just getting his great stats because he is on a bad team.

The Wolves put a lot into him by targeting him him in the 08 draft, why don't they have more trust him and give him the minutes that he deserves (at least I think he deserves).

Thanks for your time and input

Basically two things.

1). He needs to start playing defence. He grabs alot of rebounds because he camps in the key and does not close out on his direct opponent. The game against Orlando was the main example of this. Ryan Anderson hit 3 three pointers in a row as a power forward because Love would not close out on him.

2). He is just not fit enough (or maybe this is an athletic thing) Either way. He is not able to play more than about 20-26 minutes EFFICIENTLY. I don't know if this is something that can be fixed.

All in all I think Love is starting to show what he will become later on his career. A terrific energy guy off the bench. If he accepts that role then I can see him joining a contender and dominating second units for years to come. But as a starter he is just not good enough.

Unfortunately fo the Wolves we have him when he thinks he is a star. The next team who has him (Either though trade or free agency) will get the full benefit of him.

It's simple no defense and can't hit when close to the basket

He is pathetic on D, and doesn't finish strong 10 ft and in. I hope when people see his box scores they look at opposing bigs box scores too. In my opinion he is the perfect guy off the bench. Such high hopes for him, but his slow foot speed, lack of shot blocking, and self entitlement makes him a terrible defender.

In the past I used to here "Troy Murphy with an outlet" and laughed it off, but honestly, so far in his career he hasn't really shown anything to disprove that theory.

Defense, effort, conditioning

Like Corey brewer, Love is a solid role player. The expectations on him are unrealistec, and until we find that "player" that can lead this team, we will continue seeing players believing they are more than valuable assets via supporting cast.

I get the impression that Love believes he's an elite guy. Don't get me wrong, the guy is a very productive player in limited minutes, but if we were to build a championship contending team, I think we're going to need at least two guys who are better than him.

Dewey wrote:Like Corey brewer, Love is a solid role player. The expectations on him are unrealistec, and until we find that "player" that can lead this team, we will continue seeing players believing they are more than valuable assets via supporting cast.

No, not like Corey Brewer.

Worm Guts wrote:

Dewey wrote:Like Corey brewer, Love is a solid role player. The expectations on him are unrealistec, and until we find that "player" that can lead this team, we will continue seeing players believing they are more than valuable assets via supporting cast.

No, not like Corey Brewer.

Ha

Worm Guts wrote:

Dewey wrote:Like Corey brewer, Love is a solid role player. The expectations on him are unrealistec, and until we find that "player" that can lead this team, we will continue seeing players believing they are more than valuable assets via supporting cast.

No, not like Corey Brewer.

I'd say more like the Corey Brewer of last year, when he was the best wing on the team basically by default.

I think he needs an upper echelon defensive center and quality perimeter scorer next to him to keep his role in check. When he's taking 20 shots and trying to stop the bleeding around the rim defensively, his limitations stick way out. But to say he's just another guy, I don't think anybody other than beaten down Wolves fans see him that way. His rebounding is off the charts, way beyond anything Troy Murphy has ever been on the glass, and for all the thwarted attempts inside, he gets fouled a ton too, he's relentless and a pain in the ass to try and keep off of loose balls.

Devilzsidewalk wrote:I think he needs an upper echelon defensive center and quality perimeter scorer next to him to keep his role in check. When he's taking 20 shots and trying to stop the bleeding around the rim defensively, his limitations stick way out. But to say he's just another guy, I don't think anybody other than beaten down Wolves fans see him that way. His rebounding is off the charts, way beyond anything Troy Murphy has ever been on the glass, and for all the thwarted attempts inside, he gets fouled a ton too, he's relentless and a pain in the ass to try and keep off of loose balls.

His rebounding is good.

But I thin if he concentrated on playing defence all the way to the 3 point line then he would be a much better player.

He is a 12 rebound a game guy right now the way he plays.

I would like to see him (based on what I've seen) become a 10 rebound a game guy who closes out and actually alters shot on the perimeter.

he's like a 14, 15 rebound guy, but ultimately I don't think its his technique that needs the boost as much as its his stamina. He doesn't have the wind to execute quality basketball for full time starter minutes, but I'd beat that into him, that 6th man role stuff isn't going to get that across. Make him stay out there. The "oh you want more minutes? I'LL GIVE YOU MORE MINUTES!!"treatment. When you get tired, you get lazy and your technique suffers. Thats why Bruce Lee never practiced refining his technique when he was tired. And if Bruce Lee said it, its the law. Basketball is about endurance and Love doesnt have enough.

this is the 3rd season he's come in built exactly the same because he doesn't feel that need for better conditioning w/ this part time role he's given. He thinks the problem is he needs more minutes because he's so good, but he hasn't been burnt out yet. Lets burn him out. 40 minutes a game

So basically Love needs to join Greg Jackson's camp and work out with the likes of Rashad Evans, Diego Sanchez and George St. Pierre.

Calinks wrote:So basically Love needs to join Greg Jackson's camp and work out with the likes of Rashad Evans, Diego Sanchez and George St. Pierre.

hell yes, that'd be sweet if he was an assistant coach and everytime there's a time out he's over there doing his super over the top calm down take deep breaths routine with Love

Devilzsidewalk wrote:

Calinks wrote:So basically Love needs to join Greg Jackson's camp and work out with the likes of Rashad Evans, Diego Sanchez and George St. Pierre.

hell yes, that'd be sweet if he was an assistant coach and everytime there's a time out he's over there doing his super over the top calm down take deep breaths routine with Love

lol

Devilzsidewalk wrote:he's like a 14, 15 rebound guy, but ultimately I don't think its his technique that needs the boost as much as its his stamina. He doesn't have the wind to execute quality basketball for full time starter minutes, but I'd beat that into him, that 6th man role stuff isn't going to get that across. Make him stay out there. The "oh you want more minutes? I'LL GIVE YOU MORE MINUTES!!"treatment. When you get tired, you get lazy and your technique suffers. Thats why Bruce Lee never practiced refining his technique when he was tired. And if Bruce Lee said it, its the law. Basketball is about endurance and Love doesnt have enough.

this is the 3rd season he's come in built exactly the same because he doesn't feel that need for better conditioning w/ this part time role he's given. He thinks the problem is he needs more minutes because he's so good, but he hasn't been burnt out yet. Lets burn him out. 40 minutes a game

He'd just do what he does now; coast on defence and suck on offence. I really don't think it's possible to burn a guy like Love out in this way. Maybe someone like Tolliver, but not Love.

"Kevin Love would be the 4th best player on a championship team" I believe McHale said this and I think that is about right.

David Kahn said that