Tall and Nimble, Kevin Love Fits His Role for U.S.

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Tall and Nimble, Kevin Love Fits His Role for U.S.
By PETE THAMEL
The New York Times
Published: August 28, 2010

ISTANBUL — The United States backup center Kevin Love worried that his most impressive performance this month would not come on the court. Love’s cameo on the HBO show “Entourage” on Sunday night lasted just a few seconds, and despite the lack of Emmy buzz, he said he enjoyed his foray into acting.

"The co-creator, Doug Ellin, had wanted to put me in during my year at U.C.L.A,” Love said. “He wanted to have all those guys, E and Turtle, recruit me from college into the N.B.A. as agents.”

Much to the relief of U.C.L.A.’s compliance office, that episode never materialized. But with another impressive performance for the United States in a 106-78 victory over Croatia to open the world championships on Saturday, Love has found a more prominent role with the national team.

Slowed by a calf injury in New York and what he now admits was a concussion sustained against Lithuania in Madrid, Love has had sporadic playing time. But after two straight effective performances, he has shown he is more than a 6-foot-10, 260-pound insurance policy for a team lacking quality post players.

“I’m just happy that I worked my way back in, and I’m really getting back in shape and playing well,” Love said. “Hopefully, I’ll get more minutes and be able to help the team.”

Love grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 7 points in 13 minutes on Saturday after finding his groove in the final exhibition against Greece, when he had 10 points and 12 rebounds in 11 minutes.

Team USA’s next two games are the toughest they will face in pool play, with Slovenia and Brazil boasting bruising frontcourts. Love’s rugged post play will probably be needed.

“Kevin has been outstanding,” Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “Rebounds per minutes, he’s off the charts.”

He added, “We have a lot of confidence in Kevin.”

Love has fought through a broken hand and two losing seasons in Minnesota, and it has been easy to overlook his rare skills. He has flypaper hands, a soft shooting touch and is the Tom Brady of N.B.A. outlet passers. Ben Howland, who coached Love at U.C.L.A., calls him the Big Fundamental.

“The international game demands more skill, the ability to pass and play zones, to catch the ball in the high post and be able to make the passes he’s capable of making,” Howland said in a telephone interview. “I don’t know that there’s a better big-man passer out there.”

Howland said it was worth remembering that Love can stand on the baseline and hit the opposite rim with a two-handed chest pass 7 of 10 times.

And although the N.B.A. and Minnesota’s triangle offense have not been the ideal showcases for his outlet passing, his United States teammates are clearly enjoying it.

“Just like the old days,” said Russell Westbrook, a teammate of Love’s at U.C.L.A.

Guard Derrick Rose added: “His outlet passes are perfect. All you have to do is run, and it’s right there. He’s probably the best outlet passer in our game right now.”

During Love’s year at U.C.L.A., Howland said, the coaches watched him in practice and shook their heads at his fundamentally sound game.

“We can’t take any credit,” Howland said. “He showed up that way.”

One of Krzyzewski’s skills in organizing a team like this is getting players to buy into roles. Love’s is obvious; he relishes swinging his elbows, picking apart zones and taking a charge, which he was doing against Lithuania when he banged his head on the floor.

“I’m that hustle guy, that workhorse guy who can get rebounds and putbacks and the occasional 3,” he said. “But other than that, I’ll set picks and get people open and play team ball.”

As for Love’s acting career, he said he had not seen the “Entourage” cameo yet, but he said he got rave reviews from his friends. He hinted that it might not be his final dip into acting, but declined to elaborate.

Love’s much more comfortable talking about his role on the court, as he seems destined to appear in big scenes over the next few weeks.

“Now is the time that counts,” Love said, “and I’m looking forward to contributing the rest of the way.”