Kevin Love’s off-season surgery on his jaw and time spent with family were defining developments in his progression as a leader, according to Timberwolves president Chris Wright.
New coach Rick Adelman wants the fourth-year forward to emerge as a team leader. It’s a role the 23-year-old Love has said he’s prepared for and Wright told Sports Headliners he agrees.
Love had surgery on his jaw to correct his bite. The rehabilitation provided opportunity for quality time with his parents.
“Stan and Karen, Kevin’s mom and dad, they’re phenomenal people,” Wright said. “Kevin did some growing up this summer. He was wired up for awhile and he could only sort of drink his food rather than eat his food. During that rehab he spent a lot of time with his parents, and I think they spent really good quality time. Stan, I am sure, talked to him about leadership and what it means.
“We love his family and we love the kid. He’s not a kid any more. He’s growing up into a real man. I believe Kevin Love will go down as one of the best young men and one of the best leaders we’ve ever had on this team.”
Love lost about 25 pounds during the off-season and he almost looks like a different person including because his jaw is set differently. “He looks to be in absolutely fantastic shape,” Wright said.
Love said he improved his diet during the off-season that was longer than normal because of the NBA labor dispute. He also conditioned himself playing beach volleyball during an eventful off-season.
Last Saturday night at Target Center he had 21 points and 15 rebounds in the Wolves’ opening preseason game, a 117-96 win over Milwaukee. Wednesday night in Milwaukee he and the Wolves play their second and final preseason game. Then come 66 regular season games to show Love’s leadership and build on the past months of emotional growth.