Timberwolves rookie Kevin Love received a compliment earlier this week when NBA legend Jerry West told a Memphis newspaper (commercialappeal.com) he would have kept the former UCLA star in Memphis rather than trading him here on draft night. West, the former Memphis Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations, was the front office boss of seven NBA championship teams in Los Angeles and is regarded among the most savvy talent evaluators in the NBA for the last four decades.
Love, 20, impressed the local media on Monday afternoon in Minneapolis when he answered questions with humor, clarity and detail. He hopes to average double figures in points and rebounds for the Wolves. He also said making the all-rookie team is a goal.
Timberwolves assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg thinks the 6-10, 255-pound power forward could compete for Rookie of the Year. “I am very excited about Kevin Love,” Hoiberg said. “I think he’s a guy that just makes everyone around him better. …”
Love ranks with the better rebounders and passers who have played collegiately in the last several years. He can also shoot outside with a nice touch and post up near the basket. At UCLA he averaged 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 17.5 points per game. “He’s more athletic than people think,” Hoiberg said. “He tested very well at the combine (for rookies) in Orlando this year, and had the 12th fastest lateral footness drill out of everybody, not just bigs. …”
Love will have to adjust to the pro game. Like any rookie he will go through challenges as he competes to earn a starting position. Hoiberg believes Love’s “high basketball IQ” will help him adjust more quickly than many rookies.
Love led the NBA summer league in Las Vegas in rebounding at 13.5. That was a test providing further confidence in the rookie who played only one season at UCLA. Assuming Love plays 25 minutes or more per game, Hoiberg said he could average double figures in rebounds.
Many of Love’s defensive rebounds in college were quickly turned into outlet passes. His strength and quick releases have drawn college comparisons to basketball hall of famers Bill Walton and Wes Unseld. In fact, Love’s middle name is Wes, named after his dad Stan’s former NBA teammate.
“It’s a weapon, there’s no doubt about it,” Hoiberg said. “That outlet pass is a weapon. …”
Hoiberg said the Wolves can put in special plays to take advantage of Love’s outlet passing that can lead to lay-ups by his teammates. Hoiberg’s former coach at Iowa State, Tim Floyd, now at USC, had to compete against UCLA last season in the Pac 10. “He said you had to put the game plan around Kevin Love,” Hoiberg said. “You had to sprint guys back (to defend). You couldn’t crash the offensive boards the way you did against other teams. …”