Kevin Love News: Pro Sports Daily

Love revels at any chance to throw the long ball

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March 8

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love flashed back Saturday to his UCLA days. Or maybe even earlier. "My parents never let me play football," the Wolves forward said, "and I always wanted to be a quarterback." It shows. Love, who built a reputation with the Bruins for length-of-the-floor outlet passes, had not displayed his unusual skill much this season -- until Saturday. Love fired five passes of 50 feet or longer from under the Wolves basket and completed three of them for easy scores, a success rate that Brett Favre would appreciate. "I've told the coaches, I've told the front office, that we need to engage that a little more," said Love, who made long connections with Ryan Hollins and Damien Wilkins for ..."

Kevin Love still productive coming off bench

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February 27

Oregonian

"Kevin Love has accepted and grown accustomed to his new role of coming off the bench after some early anxiety and uncertainty. Love scored team-high 19 points and had eight rebounds in the Timberwolves' 109-92 loss at Oklahoma City Friday night. Love's point total marked the fourth consecutive game he has led the Timberwolves in scoring while coming off the bench. Love will attempt to reach five straight games when the Timberwolves host the Blazers tonight. "He struggled and resisted a little bit coming off the bench but for our team, it gives us better opportunities with both of our units," Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis told reporters after the game. "Once he got himself into a comfort ..."

Love's minutes down this month

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February 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"In a January interrupted by illness, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love played 30 or more minutes in nine of 14 games and delivered double-double games in all but three of those 14. In February, he has reached that 30-minute mark once in seven games and has three double-doubles. So ... what's the deal? Wolves coach Kurt Rambis calls the disparity mainly a matter of circumstance, a combination of factors that include nights such as Friday's loss to Chicago when Love hasn't played well and others like Tuesday in Detroit when a blowout loss caused Rambis to save Love's legs for the next night's game at Washington."

Flynn gets bragging rights over Love in rookie game

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February 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The rookies beat the sophomores for the first time in eight years Friday night in Dallas, and Timberwolves guard Jonny Flynn isn't going to let teammate Kevin Love forget about it any time soon. "He's going to hear about this for the rest of the season," Flynn said after his team beat the sophs 140-128 in the Rookie Challenge. "That's why I never speak too soon because things like this can come back and bite you. But I can talk now, and I will. Kevin's going to hear about this." Flynn scored nine points and had seven assists in nearly 18 minutes. Love had 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes after not being chosen for the game last season as a rookie, a decision by NBA assistant ..."

Jefferson, Love picked for Olympic basketball pool

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February 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Al Jefferson remembers as a kid watching the 1992 USA Olympic basketball team demolish a string of opponents to win the gold medal in Barcelona. "I watched the Dream Team when they had Jordan and Pippen," he said. The Timberwolves forward might get a chance to follow in their Olympic footsteps. Jefferson and Wolves teammate Kevin Love were among 27 NBA players named to the USA Basketball team program on Wednesday. Players from the program will be selected to compete in the World Championships in Turkey this summer and the 2012 Olympics in London. The Wolves are one of six teams that had more than one player named to the team by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike ..."

Jefferson, Love make national team

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February 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves standouts Al Jefferson and Kevin Love had no reservations about giving up most of their offseason leisure time over the next three years. For them, the chance to win a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London is worth the sacrifice. Love and Jefferson were among 27 NBA players named Wednesday to the USA Basketball men's national team roster, from which a 12-man Olympic team eventually will be chosen. "It's always been a dream of mine to wear the red, white and blue and play for a gold medal," Love said. "My first priority will be the Timberwolves and this organization, but I've always wanted to play at the highest level." Last week, Love was chosen to compete in ..."

Flynn, Love named to Rookie Challenge

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January 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis summoned youngsters Jonny Flynn and Kevin Love forward on the team's flight from Newark to Cleveland after Tuesday's pathetic 27-point loss to the Knicks. "I thought we were in trouble," Love said Wednesday. "I wasn't sure what we were going to hear after last night's game." Instead, Rambis stood the two players before their teammates and told them they were looking at elected participants to next month's All-Star weekend Rookie Challenge in Dallas. Flynn will play alongside Sacramento's Tyreke Evans, Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings, Golden State's Stephen Curry and five others for the rookie team in the Feb. 12 Friday night game on All-Star weekend. Love will ..."

Back from illness, Love says he'll play

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January 22

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Kevin Love returned to practice Thursday after missing two games because he was ill and declared himself ready to play Friday against New Orleans at Target Center. "Vacation's over," he said after he participated in all but the end of an 80-minute practice. "No tan, but I'm good to go." Love spent most of Monday in bed too sick to move, but he said he will "definitely" play Friday -- "That's 100 percent," he said. However, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said the decision won't be made until before the game. "He got tired real quick," Rambis said. "He's very drained, very exhausted. We'll see how he feels tomorrow. He's better than yesterday, but I would not say he looked ..."

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love out of 2nd consecutive game

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January 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves forward Kevin Love showed up for work Wednesday but didn't have the appearance of a player ready to achieve another double-double. Love, who leads the Wolves with 17 double-doubles (points and rebounds), watched the team's 94-92 loss to Oklahoma City from home. The second-year forward is recovering from strep throat. Love was a limited in his activity in Wednesday morning's shootaround, prompting coach Kurt Rambis to believe Love would miss his second consecutive game. "He looked lethargic and tired in the shootaround," Rambis said of Love. "He was OK, but he didn't look very good. He didn't have a lot of energy." Love was diagnosed with strep throat after Sunday's practice ..."

Love deemed too ill to play, so Gomes starts in his place

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January 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves starting forward Kevin Love showed up for the team's morning shootaround but was sent home for Wednesday's game against Oklahoma City after he once again was deemed too ill to play. The Wolves played their second consecutive game without Love, who participated in some of the morning shootaround. "I thought he looked pretty good," teammate Al Jefferson said. "But he said he didn't feel too good." Wolves coach Kurt Rambis didn't think Love looked all that good, and said Love didn't offer much resistance to the decision that he not play. "I couldn't imagine him mustering up the energy to play," Rambis said. "He looked very lethargic and tired, and it's not like we kill the guys ..."

Love deemed too ill to play, so Gomes starts in his place

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January 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves starting forward Kevin Love showed up for the team's morning shootaround but was sent home for Wednesday's game against Oklahoma City after he once again was deemed too ill to play. The Wolves played their second consecutive game without Love, who participated in some of the morning shootaround. "I thought he looked pretty good," teammate Al Jefferson said. "But he said he didn't feel too good." Wolves coach Kurt Rambis didn't think Love looked all that good, and said Love didn't offer much resistance to the decision that he not play. "I couldn't imagine him mustering up the energy to play," Rambis said. "He looked very lethargic and tired, and it's not like we kill the guys ..."

Without Love, Wolves rally to beat Philly

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January 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Just one? That's the only overtime the Timberwolves needed Monday afternoon to defeat Philadelphia 108-103 at Target Center. Five days after they forced Houston to three overtimes before losing, the Wolves produced the season's biggest comeback victory (20 points). They won with just one little extra five-minute session on a Martin Luther King Day game played without starting forward Kevin Love (ill). "Thank God for that," Wolves center Al Jefferson said of such little extra work. Jefferson entered the Wolves' locker room just after noon Monday for the unusual 2:30 p.m. game start, noticed Love missing at the locker stall next to him and immediately worried about a teammate he alternately ..."

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love sidelined by strep throat

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January 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves players were surprised to learn that forward Kevin Love was diagnosed with strep throat, the same condition that sidelined backup forward Ryan Hollins for more than two weeks. Love practiced Sunday but informed Wolves coach Kurt Rambis on Monday morning that he didn't feel well enough to play in Monday afternoon's game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. "When I didn't see him before the game, I was worried that he would get fined for missing our (pregame) meeting," forward Al Jefferson said of Love after the Wolves' 108-103 overtime victory. "Then I started blaming Ryan Hollins for passing on his sickness to Kevin. I'm glad it skipped over me." Jefferson's locker ..."

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love sidelined by strep throat

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January 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves players were surprised to learn that forward Kevin Love was diagnosed with strep throat, the same condition that sidelined backup forward Ryan Hollins for more than two weeks. Love practiced Sunday but informed Wolves coach Kurt Rambis on Monday morning that he didn't feel well enough to play in Monday afternoon's game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center. "When I didn't see him before the game, I was worried that he would get fined for missing our (pregame) meeting," forward Al Jefferson said of Love after the Wolves' 108-103 overtime victory. "Then I started blaming Ryan Hollins for passing on his sickness to Kevin. I'm glad it skipped over me." Jefferson's locker ..."

Report of dispute, trade offer refuted

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January 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Well, you don't hear this around an NBA team every day: Timberwolves center Al Jefferson walked past teammate Kevin Love after Monday's morning shootaround, shouted out "Love you, Kevin," to which Love replied, "Love you, too, man." It was their playful response to a Yahoo! Sports report that Indiana refused a Wolves' Jefferson-for-Danny Granger trade offer, presented partly because Jefferson and Love are at odds with each other. Wolves boss David Kahn called the report "totally without merit" and said he will not offer any of his "core" players in trade until next summer. Kahn last week told Jefferson, through his agent, that he will not trade him this season, and Kahn met with Jefferson ..."

Love gives team scare after knee takes a blow

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January 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"It's probably a reflection of how jinxed the Timberwolves feel that when Kevin Love lay writhing in pain on the Target Center floor, grasping his left knee, probably everyone in the building assumed the worst. So Al Jefferson -- whose season ended two months early last February when he tore ligaments in his own knee -- was happy to hear the diagnosis: Just a bruise. "I just knew how bumping knees hurt," Jefferson said. "It just takes a little time for the pain to go away, and he'll be all right. But he'll be sore tomorrow." Love, moving into position in hopes of taking a charge from Corey Maggette with three minutes left in Wednesday's 107-101 loss to Golden State, banged his left knee ..."

Love gives team scare after knee takes a blow

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January 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"It's probably a reflection of how jinxed the Timberwolves feel that when Kevin Love lay writhing in pain on the Target Center floor, grasping his left knee, probably everyone in the building assumed the worst. So Al Jefferson -- whose season ended two months early last February when he tore ligaments in his own knee -- was happy to hear the diagnosis: Just a bruise. "I just knew how bumping knees hurt," Jefferson said. "It just takes a little time for the pain to go away, and he'll be all right. But he'll be sore tomorrow." Love, moving into position in hopes of taking a charge from Corey Maggette with three minutes left in Wednesday's 107-101 loss to Golden State, banged his left knee ..."

Love, Al make for crowd at '4'

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December 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Two summers ago, the Timberwolves bypassed Stanford center Brook Lopez in the NBA draft and instead engineered a trade for UCLA's Kevin Love. Wolves boss Kevin McHale considered Love a player uniquely gifted and believed Lopez's low-post game too closely mirrored Al Jefferson's. New Jersey took Lopez 10th overall, five picks after Love. In 111 pro games, the legitimate 7-footer has become a scoring/rebounding double threat better than almost anybody projected he'd be. Love, despite that broken hand that cost him the season's first 18 games, already is one of the NBA's most efficient rebounders and a double-double machine, but many questions remain whether he and Jefferson can start ..."

Timberwolves' Kevin Love still fine-tuning his game

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December 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Two weeks after a fairly impressive return to the Timberwolves this season — averaging double figures in points and rebounds in six games — Kevin Love was talking as if he had lost some of his basic basketball skills and instincts. Love's statistics say otherwise, but the second-year forward claims he needs to "find my rhythm" after missing the Wolves' first 18 games with a broken bone in his left hand. He remembers getting his shot blocked in one game because he failed to make a fundamental pump fake. In another game, he said he was late several times on passes to teammates and leaned too far back on his jumpers. Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis noticed Love's occasional issues on the court ..."

Love's double-double carries Timberwolves past Sacramento

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December 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"A comfortable lead in the fourth quarter Friday night against the Sacramento Kings led to smiles on the faces of Timberwolves players and coaches and a light hearted moment — rare events for the Wolves through the first 27 games of the season. Before the Wolves put Sacramento away with a 112-96 win in front of 13,144 fans at Target Center, Kevin Love and coach Kurt Rambis had an exchange early in the fourth quarter that could have gone the other way if the Wolves were headed to another loss. A weary Love — en route to a 20-point, 16-rebound performance — was struggling to get back on defense after the Wolves and Kings traded fast-break baskets. Rambis let Love know about it, prompting Love ..."

Return of Love gives team a jolt of speed

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December 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love says he learned a lot just by watching while he was sidelined for the season's first month, and you have to wonder: Did he learn that sitting out the first month can be an effective strategy by itself? After all, Joe Mauer missed a month to injury this year, and all he did was earn a Most Valuable Player trophy. "Well, I don't see myself winning any MVPs," Love said Wednesday. But the layoff didn't go to waste either, he said. "There were certain advantages. I could see where I would fit in, sort of figure out the offense and what we're doing on the defensive end before going out and trying it," said Love, who sat out 18 games because of a broken hand. "I tried to watch ..."

Love taking and making more threes

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December 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Kevin Love played 81 of 82 games in his rookie season a year ago. In those six months, he attempted 19 three-point shots and made two. Two. He has played seven games this season since returning from that broken hand and already has displayed ease and range in his shooting that were missing last season. He's made seven of 11 three-point attempts while he has struggled to finish shorter shots around the basket. That's 63.6 percent and one per game despite wearing a football lineman's padded glove to protect his nonshooting hand. Drafted fifth overall in 2008 because he was projected as a unique inside-outside threat for a fellow 6-9, Love explains the difference two ..."

Kevin Love more interested in finishing game than starting it

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December 8

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis is taking his time deciding whether to put Kevin Love in the starting lineup, and Love is OK with that. "If coach wants me to come off the bench, I'm fine with it," Love said. "I just want to get the job done when I'm out there. If I get enough time, I feel I can get into a rhythm." Love has had two impressive games since rejoining the Wolves after missing the first 18 games and the final two weeks of the exhibition season with a broken bone in his left hand. The second-year forward is averaging 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds; he played significant minutes in the fourth quarter against New Orleans and Utah. Rambis has given subtle messages to starters that he ..."

Love has eye on starting position

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December 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love began his rookie season as a reserve, but moved into the starting lineup by midseason. His second year is beginning the same way -- Love came off the bench Saturday, his second game back from a broken hand -- but it doesn't sound like it will take him so long to move up this season. "There's a likelihood" of moving him into the starting lineup soon, coach Kurt Rambis said. "I'm not going to set it in stone." Rambis said he likes his current starting five, with Damien Wilkins and Ryan Gomes handling the forward slots and Al Jefferson at center. But the power of the Jefferson-Love combination up front may be too tempting for the coach to resist for long. "We've had some good games ..."

Love's return lands Cardinal on Timberwolves' inactive list

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December 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Kevin Love's return after a two-month recovery from a broken bone in his left hand will have a significant impact on playing time for several players who saw action at power forward during Love's absence. Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis faces a challenge to give minutes to Nathan Jawai, Oleksiy Pecherov, Brian Cardinal and Ryan Hollins, who started eight games before coming off the bench in the last four, including the Wolves' 108-101 win Saturday night over Utah at Target Center. Cardinal took the biggest hit, going on the inactive list for Saturday's game and the Wolves' 98-89 loss Friday night at New Orleans. NBA teams have a 15-man roster maximum but are limited to 12 active players for ..."

Love conquers all as Timberwolves upset Jazz

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December 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Perhaps it was a symbol of defiance, or maybe a moment of uncontainable joy. Late in the fourth quarter of a close battle with the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at Target Center, the Timberwolves' Kevin Love and Al Jefferson simultaneously pumped their fists in the air after Love converted an offensive rebound into a clutch basket. The show of emotion by the Wolves' forwards might have been a message to the Jazz and the crowd of 18,466 that they were not going to let this one get away. Love's basket put the Wolves up by eight with 1:45 remaining and provided the final spark for a 108-101 victory over one of the Western Conference's better teams. "Both of us were really happy," Love said of ..."

Kevin Love's return not enough as Timberwolves fall to Hornets

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December 5

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves were looking for a little luck as they limped into New Orleans on Friday with two wins in the opening month and a half of the season. Instead, they got a little Love and a lot of Jefferson but not enough steam to finish. The Hornets won 98-89 to spoil Kevin Love's return. Love played in his first regular-season game after missing seven weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand. He didn't start, but he provided an immediate boost and finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Al Jefferson's return to New Orleans Arena, where he suffered a season-ending knee injury Feb. 8, 2008, gave the Wolves (2-17) plenty of ammunition with 20 points and 14 rebounds. But another ..."

Love Impressive, but Paul trumps him

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December 5

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"There couldn't have been just one guy who made his long-awaited return Friday night in the Timberwolves' 98-89 loss at New Orleans. There had to be two, didn't there? Given the Timberwolves' timing and fortune being what it is, of course there had to be. Wolves forward Kevin Love made his season debut seven weeks after he broke his left hand in a preseason game. He delivered an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double while playing half the game off the bench. Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul returned after eight games away because of a sprained ankle and trumped Love's comeback with an 16-point, 15-assist, eight-steal, six-rebound performance of his own. "A double-double outdone by ..."

Kevin Love: "I'm ready"

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December 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love walked off the New Orleans Arena floor at the end of shootaround this morning and declared himself fit to play after missing the season's first 18 games because of that fractured left hand. Love will wear a black glove padded to protect the back of that hand and will come off the bench with how much -- or how little -- he plays determined by Kurt Rambis and how Loves looks and feels. "I'll leave that up to him," Love said. "It depends on how much time I can wrap my mind around." Love declared himself "real excited, anxious" to play for the first time for a team that is 2-16 without him. "Six weeks to sit out, that's a real long time," said Love, who has not played a game since ..."

Timberwolves' Love cleared to play, but when?

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December 4

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves forward Kevin Love got the news hen has been waiting for, but he and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis are uncertain when he will make his regular-season debut. Love was cleared to play by Wolves team doctors after a seven-week recovery from the broken bone he suffered in his left hand in the exhibition season. Rambis said he will leave it up to Love to determine whether he's ready to play in tonight's game at New Orleans. Love's conditioning will be the deciding factor. "When I get tired, I still want to be able to help the team," Love said. "I don't know if I can do that right now. My hand feels great. I just need to get in a couple more practices." If Love does not play tonight or ..."

Doctors clear Wolves' Love to return to action; possible Saturday return

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December 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love's imminent return to the Wolves' lineup is a thrill, a relief and a blessing -- and that's just Jonny Flynn's opinion. Imagine how Love must feel. "I can't wait," Love said Thursday after receiving clearance from his doctors to play NBA basketball again, seven weeks after surgery to repair a broken left hand. "It'll be very soon. I want to help this team." The addition of a 6-10 colossus who averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds as a 20-year-old rookie undoubtedly will help the 2-16 Timberwolves, who face the Hornets on Friday night in New Orleans. But Flynn said he and his fellow guards will be the biggest beneficiaries of Love's presence. Maybe, Flynn suggested, "United We ..."

Injury hampers Timberwolves' Kevin Love's homecoming in Portland

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November 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"For the second time in 13 days, Kevin Love returned to his hometown only to watch in street clothes as his team played the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Still, the Timberwolves' second-year forward is closer to coming back from the broken left hand that scratched Love from his 13th game Saturday night. X-rays on Friday in the Twin Cities revealed the bone is healing properly. Another evaluation is scheduled in two weeks, with Love cautiously targeting mid-December for his 2009-10 debut. "Hopefully, the bone is fully healed then and I won't miss a beat," Love said after participating in the Wolves' morning shootaround. Love was injured during an Oct. 16 exhibition game. He boldly ..."

Timberwolves exercise options on Kevin Love, Corey Brewer

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November 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves exercised contract options on guard/forward Corey Brewer and forward Kevin Love before Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, keeping both players from becoming free agents after the season. For now, Brewer and Love are under contract through the 2010-11 season. The Wolves exercised the fourth-year option on Brewer and the third-year option on Love. "It's always good to have a guaranteed deal for next season; at least you know you'll have a job," Brewer said. "I want to be a Timberwolf. I feel like we're building something good here." A 2010-11 option on forward Oleksiy Pecherov's contract was not picked up. President of basketball operations David Kahn said ..."

Kahn must decide on offers for Love, Brewer, Pecherov

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November 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Wolves boss David Kahn must decide by today whether to offer Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and Oleksiy Pecherov contract extensions for the 2010-11 season. On Sunday, Kahn wasn't saying what he'll do. Kahn said during training camp that extending Love a $3.64 million salary for next season is a "no-brainer." At that same time, he said he "couldn't fathom" not extending Brewer -- the seventh pick in the 2007 draft -- a $3.7 million offer. If Kahn doesn't extend Brewer or Pecherov ($2.38 million), he would save $6 million and give the Wolves even more salary-cap flexibility -- with the option of signing multiple free agents, including perhaps one to a maximum contract -- for a long-awaited ..."

Injuries, leaves Timberwolves short on star power for season opener

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October 27

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Kurt Rambis was prepared for all sorts of challenges in his first year as the Timberwolves' new head coach. Piecing together a lineup was not expected to be high up on the list. With Wednesday night's regular-season debut against New Jersey at Target Center approaching, Rambis knows he won't have forward Kevin Love, who is out for at least two months with a broken bone in his left hand. But Rambis remains unsure about forward Al Jefferson's availability, and starting point guard Jonny Flynn missed Monday's practice with flu symptoms. If Flynn can't practice today, and Jefferson continues to be slowed by Achilles tendinitis, three projected starters could be out of the lineup for a team ..."

Timberwolves' Love to undergo surgery for broken hand

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October 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"If Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis was considering using power forwards Kevin Love and Al Jefferson as a regular tandem in the lineup, the plan has been put on hold. Love will undergo surgery today in New York to repair a broken bone in his left hand, an injury that is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks. Love broke the fourth metacarpal bone on a rebound attempt in the third quarter of Friday night's exhibition game at Chicago. "It's a blow to our team, but it's the nature of the business," Rambis said Monday after learning of Love's scheduled surgery. "Players get hurt. When somebody goes down, it's an opportunity for else." Love's surgery will be performed by Dr. Andrew ..."

Wolves' injury situation worsens

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October 20

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Eight days before the Timberwolves kick off their 21st season at home against New Jersey, Minnesota tonight will play a preseason game in Denver with its two biggest pieces facing uncertain futures -- short and long term -- because of injuries. As expected, forward Kevin Love will undergo surgery today to repair the fractured fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand. He suffered the injury last weekend in Chicago and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. But in a surprising development Monday, Al Jefferson did not practice because of a sore Achilles' tendon that caused him to play less than six minutes in the second half Saturday at Milwaukee. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis, growing tired of ..."

Rambis sees Love's bad break as others' chance

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October 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Depending upon your view of the world, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love's fractured left hand either is a shimmering opportunity for his teammates or simply a tempting occasion to rationalize truly a bad break as such. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis knows how he'd vote. "Absolutely, it's opportunity," he said. "My entire career was based on Mitch Kupchak blowing his knee out, so why wouldn't I think that?" Rambis was a rookie forward from tiny Santa Clara University the season the NBA expanded its rosters from 11 men to 12 in 1981. That bit of serendipitous timing probably provided him a job with the Los Angeles Lakers that fall. Kupchak's serious knee injury early that season presented Rambis a ..."

Timberwolves lose Love to broken hand in loss at Chicago

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October 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Kevin Love went up for a rebound as he always does, but this time he banged his left hand. Now, the Minnesota Timberwolves' second-year forward will be watching from the bench for a while. Love broke a bone in his hand and the NBA's leading rookie rebounder last season hopes to return in late November or early December. "Fortunately, it's my non-shooting hand," Love said after Minnesota's 94-90 preseason loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. That's about the only thing that went right for the Timberwolves. Tyrus Thomas, who missed four games with a bruised right hip, had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, and Jannero Pargo hit the go-ahead jumper in the final minute. Chicago led ..."

Wolves' Love breaks hand

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October 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love rose for an insignificant rebound in an insignificant preseason game Friday night at United Center and came down with a fractured left hand that's expected to sideline him until December. X-rays taken at the arena showed he broke the fourth metacarpal bone in that hand and the initial estimate is he will miss the next six to eight weeks. Love will see a hand specialist Monday to find out if the injury will require surgery. "Freak accident," he said as he sat at his locker stall following a 94-90 loss to the Chicago Bulls, his left hand heavily bandaged. Love went up to grab the rebound of Bulls center Brad Miller's missed free throw with 3:50 left in the third quarter. His right ..."

Extension decisions nearing deadline for Brewer, Love

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October 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Timberwolves will use October to consider options for a third point guard. They also by month's end must make contract-extension decisions on youngsters Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and Oleksiy Pecherov. Extending Love a $3.6 million qualifying offer by the Oct. 31 deadline is what Wolves boss David Kahn calls a "no-brainer," but Pecherov is an unlikely keep. On Thursday, Kahn said he "can't fathom" not guaranteeing Brewer -- the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft -- a $3.7 million contract for the 2010-11 season. "I think I need to visit with the coaches and we need to watch Corey play this year," Kahn said. "It'd be hard for me to fathom as we speak today that we don't pick up Corey ..."

Love's tweet hiatus is temporary

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October 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love's tweeter is broken, but he promises a glorious comeback. Love, a child of the computer age, embraced the Twitter social-network phenomenon as enthusiastically as any pro athlete, so much so he unintentionally broke the worldwide news that Kevin McHale wasn't coming back as Timberwolves coach and honestly offered up his comments on the team's confounding draft night. He hasn't tweeted since Aug. 14. For now, rookie Jonny Flynn is leading the Wolves, both at point guard and with the Twitter. "I got shut down a little while from the Boss Man," Love said. "But be on the lookout: I'll be back. I just got tired of (Jim) Stack or (Fred) Hoiberg calling me and telling me not to tweet ..."

Kevin Love's view: Lakers unbeatable if Kobe keeps this up

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June 6

Los Angeles Times

"I don't think the Lakers can be beat any time Kobe Bryant plays the way he did. Not with all the other stars on that team. Pau Gasol was the second-leading scorer, Andrew Bynum played pretty well and, what, Dwight Howard made only one field goal. I don't think the Lakers could have been beaten in Game 1. It's tough, really, for Orlando because the Magic can only hope to contain a guy like Kobe, and offensively I think they need to get other guys to cut more off Howard. I think Rafer Alston said that, that they can't stand around and watch Dwight. With the double teams and stuff, three-pointers aren't going to be open unless they all start moving. Breaking down the Lakers' defense, I ..."

Wolves' Love named to All-Rookie second team

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May 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Love of the Timberwolves was snubbed for the rookie-sophomore game at All Star Weekend. On Wednesday, in spite of a rookie-leading 29 double-doubles, he was left off the NBA's All-Rookie first team. Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose led the first team, which also included Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Brook Lopez and Russell Westbrook. Love, Eric Gordon, Mario Chalmers, Marc Gasol and D.J. Augustin made second team in voting done by the league's 30 head coaches."

Kevin Love leads Timberwolves to back-to-back road sweep

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April 9

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves knew their legs were going to be put to the test facing the fast-paced Golden State Warriors on the second part of a back-to-back West Coast road trip Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. With only three more games remaining this season, the Timberwolves will have plenty of time to get some rest in a couple of weeks, but they proved they have enough in the tank for here and now with a 105-97 victory. In a game that featured a Warriors team that has flourished at home (21-17 record coming in) and a Wolves team with the second-best road record in the Western Conference by a non-playoff-bound team at 12-27, something had to give. Though they didn't guard each other often, the ..."

Kevin Love sits out for first time this season

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April 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Already short-handed, the Timberwolves had to make do without rookie forward Kevin Love for Sunday night's game against the Denver Nuggets. Battling the flu, Love wasn't even in uniform and never got a chance to lobby to play. "I didn't talk to Kevin Love," coach Kevin McHale said after the Wolves' 110-87 loss. "He was in there getting an IV. He was very sick. He was in the back room. I told him finally to go home." It was the first missed game of the season for Love, who McHale said became ill before Friday night's game at Utah. "He's been throwing up and pretty sick," McHale said. "Starting the afternoon of the Utah game, he was real sickly. What's the old Procol Harum song? He was a ..."

Rookie Kevin Love one of the few Minnesota Timberwolves not breaking down

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April 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"For all the benefits of experience, youth does have its advantages. Take Kevin Love. At a time of the season when many of his veteran teammates are limping around with injuries, the Timberwolves' rookie forward appears to be getting stronger. Love's 23 points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday night's loss to Dallas gave him double-doubles in back-to-back games and five of the past nine. One of just two Wolves players, with forward Ryan Gomes, to have played in all 75 games this season, Love said he actually feels pretty fresh. "I was feeling good in warm-ups tonight," he said Tuesday. "I got a good warm-up in, got a little bit hot and just came out and hit my first jump shot. I feel great." With ..."

Confident Kevin Love wants to hone skills

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March 27

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"From the firing of coach Randy Wittman in early December to Al Jefferson's season-ending knee injury two months later to more losses than he suffered in high school and college combined, Kevin Love has been through a lot during his first NBA season. Looking back, the Timberwolves' rookie forward said it has been a learning experience. "It's just different," he said. "Everything's been an adjustment, whether it's on the court or off the court. I just feel like it's gotten better and better. Not as far as winning, but if we're talking about how I feel out there and confidence, I feel a lot better." Looking ahead, Love said his first priority is to make the most of the 10 games remaining. ..."

Kevin McHale really likes Kevin Love Phil McCarten / Associated Press Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love battles the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan and Al Thornton for a rebound during Monday's game.

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January 21

Los Angeles Times

"Kevin McHale sees the rebounding ability, the basketball instincts and the unceasing effort and can't believe Kevin Love is only a rookie. "He's so far advanced for a 20-year-old it's ridiculous," the Minnesota Timberwolves coach said of Love, the former UCLA center who is in the midst of his best month in the NBA. Love, an NBA forward listed at 6 feet 10, is averaging 11.4 points and 10.6 rebounds in January following Minnesota's 94-86 victory Monday over the Clippers at Staples Center. Though Love couldn't match those numbers against the Clippers -- he had six points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes -- he showed flashes of why he's becoming one of Minnesota's top reserves. There was a ..."