Remember when Kevin Love didn’t feel supported by the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Yeah, those days are gone. Those feelings are gone. Or at least, they should be.
Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman called Love a top-five NBA star following his team’s 100-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Weird, right? Praising a player after a loss?
From the Associated Press (via ESPN):
“He got fouled,” Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. “I wonder what that would have been if (Dirk) Nowitzki, LeBron James, all the top players in the league — a guy reaches on a last-second shot like that, instead of challenging it. Maybe they don’t understand that Kevin is one of the top five players in this league. You make that call. But they didn’t.”
Now that makes more sense.
Adelman was referencing the game’s final play, where Shawn Marion clearly fouled Love as he attempted to notch the festivities up at 100. Video of the play can be seen below:
Yes, he was fouled. Hard. And blatantly. The no-call was a travesty.
But that’s not why you’re here. Adelman subtly slipped him in that “maybe they don’t understand that Kevin is one of the top five players in this league” bit. That’s quite the compliment, even for a coach to bestow upon his own player—especially after a loss.
Any number of things could account for Adelman’s post-game thoughts. Chief among them is being consumed by the heat of the moment. The Timberwolves had just lost on a questionable no-call and he was protecting his player. Speaking in hyperbole during those situations happens. Not just by accident, either. Sometimes it’s on purpose. For all we know, this could’ve come straight out of Mark Jackson’s playbook.
Or Adelman could’ve meant it. Like really meant it, at which point we have to ask: Is Kevin Love a top-five player?
Typically, this would require thousands of words and a whole lot graphs, charts and statistical comparisons. But I’m not about to recycle an old idea. I previously tackled the “Is Kevin Love a top-10 NBA player” question in a similar manner. Those interested in said findings, you can digest them here.
For those who want the one word synopsis, here comes the spoiler: Yes. For those who aren’t averse to five-word, one-number overviews, here comes your explanation: Love is a top-10 player.
But top five? Not sure I can go that far. Actually, I am sure. I’m not going that far.
Name me five players in the NBA better than Love. You’ve probably come up with players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Paul George. NBA liberals will also drop Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Tony Parker and a healthy Kobe Bryant, among others. I’m not here to tell you you’re wrong—except for anyone who thinks Andris Biedrins is better than Love.
Point is, you can easily name five players better than Love without stretching yourself to thin. Arguing he’s a top-10 luminary can even be difficult in some cases because of how much star power the NBA has.
So is Love a top-five NBA player? No. Is he top 10? Most definitely.
Was he fouled on that last play against the Mavs? Yes to that, too.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
