After breaking his hand earlier in the season, Kevin Love was finally back in action for the Timberwolves. He’s first game back was on the road against Portland. Though the Wolves lost 103-95, Love had a pretty good game (decent by his standards) with 24 points and 13 rebounds. His percentages weren’t very high at all, with Love shooting 6-15 from the field (2-7 from up-close).
Regardless, it was a pretty good performance. Evidently, Love doesn’t think so:
(I’m) not too close (to 100 percent). Still got a ways to go conditioning wise, still need to get my legs, and my hand back, too,” Love said. “I was originally scheduled for eight weeks and I came back in five, so the ball just doesn’t feel right in my hand yet…”
–Via Pro Basketball Talk
That notion that the “ball just doesn’t feel right” in Love’s hand is understandable. It explains his lower than usual shooting percentage and his shot selection. Love was taking one contested/ off-balance shot too many (or more than usual, one should say).
The Wolves will need Love back to 100% as soon as possible, as Minnesota is on a losing streak that stands at 5 games at the moment. With Pekovic and Barea recovering to see their regular floor time and Rubio making progress, Minnesota can yet slow the descent fast enough to regain momentum.
And it would behoove them to regain that momentum quickly, before preseason hope becomes a cautionary tale.
Mohamed Abdihakim is a journalism student at Florida Atlantic University. He is a Phoenix Suns fan, who is not prepared for the possibility of Nash winning a title in a Lakers jersey. Mohamed is also a contributor at “Les Snobs”. Interests include International basketball, Mad Men, and blues music. Nearly all stats are credited to Hoopdata or Basketball-Reference.
Twitter handle: @Abdi_hakim
