Love could be gold this summer: Timberwolves forward Kevin Love is expected to be a “lock” for this summer’s US Olympics team, after a number of injuries in the front court left the United States in need of front court options. Love has previously competed in international competition in 2010, when he was a member of the United States’ squad in the FIBA World Championship tournament, and should be on the roster for the more prestigious Olympic squad when it is announced in July. (Updated 05/16/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/26/12).
Fantasy Analysis
If Love burst onto the scene as a startlast year, he cemented his status among the NBA’s elite this season. He continued to up improve his offensive game, putting up a career-high 26.0 points per game in 55 contests, while maintaining his solid shooting percentages. He became more of a threat from three-point range as well, nailing 1.9 per game, and began going to the free-throw line more. Love’s rebounding took a small step back this season, as he spent more time playing with a competent center, however he still finished the season second in the NBA with 13.3 per game, good for second in the league. Love is an incredibly skilled big men, one of the best in the league, and he should be in peak physical shape by the time next season begins. He is one of the top options in Fantasy and should be targeted in the first round on Draft Day. (Updated 05/16/2012).
Kevin Love took his game to the next level in 2010-11 and posted some solid stats en route to winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. After averaging 14 points with 11 rebounds during his sophomore campaign, he ballooned to 20.2 points and a league-leading 15.2 rebounds per contest a year ago. He was a double-double machine as he went 53 straight games recording one, falling two short of the all-time record. There are few big-men in the league that can shoot like the 22-year-old and his 41.7 percent from beyond the arc helps him get points when facing a bigger power forward. With another year of experience under his belt, Love should be able to post similar numbers in 2011-12, if not better. He will supply the low-post scoring while the likes of Ricky Rubio and rookie Derrick Williams work on the outside, but the ball will most assuredly go through the former UCLA Bruin. Thanks to his all-around production, Fantasy owners should consider Love a No. 1 Fantasy forward on Draft Day, worthy of being taken in the first few rounds. (Updated 8/29/11)
