With a month remaining on the NBA's regular season schedule, it would be an absolute sacrilege if I were to go the entire year without recognizing the brilliant season Kevin Love has had. Highlighted by his 52 consecutive double-doubles which recently put him ahead of Moses Malone's mark of 51 straight, statistically Love has recorded a season for the ages. Despite playing for the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves who only lead the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference standings, Love has been an offensive juggernaut in Fantasy leagues throughout the web, averaging 20.7 points and 15.7 rebounds per game. Due to his awe-inspiring numbers, Love became the Timberwolves' first All-Star since Kevin Garnett who made the team 10-times with the T-Wolves before his departure to Boston in 2007 to form what eventually became known as 'The Big Three'.
However, Love's ticket to All-Star weekend was anything but given to him as he nearly didn't make it before being chosen by commissioner Stern to fill in for the injured Yao Ming who led the voting despite not playing a single game this season. Prior to the official All-Star roster being announced, I made the argument via Twitter that if L.A.'s Lamar Odom who's had a stellar year coming off the bench made the team and Love didn't, that I simply wouldn't watch. Thankfully that wasn't the case. But like all good things, Love's streak of consecutive double-doubles came to halt on Sunday. On the road against the Golden State Warriors, Love compiled just 6 points to go along with his 12 boards, ending his remarkable feat at 53 games, two shy of Elvin Hayes' mark of 55 consecutive double-doubles.
But even Hayes' run doesn't come close to the jaw-dropping record of 227 consecutive double-doubles held by Hall of Famer Wilt 'the stilt' Chamberlain, who's dominance spanned from 1964 to 1967. As for Love, the UCLA alum could care less about his impressive numbers, saying he'd rather be winning and notes Minnesota's poor 17-51 record overshadows his incredible feat. In only his third season in the NBA, it's comforting to know a player of his age and talent gets what the game of basketball is all about, which is why I wish nothing but the best for Mr. Love.
Expected to receive an offer later this season for a multi-year extension somewhere in the $70 Million range to remain in Minnesota, it'll be interesting to see what the talented big man decides to do. And unless they decide to reach out and acquire another All-Star caliber player to compliment Love, I won't hold it against him if he chooses to ditch the small market organization to pursue a marquee franchise with a better chance of winning it all for a cheaper price tag which has become somewhat of a trend lately.
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