The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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    Kevin Love

October 3, 2009

Love looking forward to Year 2

Second-year pro hopes to improve on solid rookie campaign

By Jim Rueda

MANKATO — Twelve months ago, Kevin Love was a wide-eyed rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves, trying to cope with the pressure of being a high draft choice. That the Wolves traded away the rights to O.J. Mayo in order to obtain Love from Memphis only magnified everyone’s expectations of the No. 5 draft pick.

A year later, Love admits the situation was not particularly easy. The pressure to produce was intense and it took some time to feel comfortable.

“The first month, month-and-a-half was a little tough for me just getting adjusted last year,” Love said Saturday at Bethany College, shortly after the Wolves final preseason practice in Mankato. “That’s why I have empathy for the rookies who are coming in this year. They’re going against bigger, stronger players than they did in college and it’s eye-opening.”

Love said it was January of last season when he finally started contributing in a meaningful way.

“From that point on I ended having almost 30 double-doubles,” he said. “I think averaged almost a double-double the rest of the season. I started feeling good with my role on the team and what was expected of me.”

Love finished the 2008-09 season averaging 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He also improved his defense gradually over the course of the season.

This year, after five preseason practices, Love says his confidence is significantly ahead of where it was last season.

“I can’t begin to describe how much more comfortable I feel this training camp,” he said. “We have a different coach, a different front office, and a lot of different players, but as far being relaxed and focusing on what I have to do, it’s like night and day.”

Love said he wants to continue improving all facets of his game but would particularly like to become more proficient at 3-point shooting.

“I definitely want to improve my outside shooting, stepping all the way out to the 3-point line,” he said. “I’m not going to come out and shot 40-plus percent right off the bat, it’s going to be something I have to work myself into. If I can keep rebounding and keep playing my post game, I’d really like to develop that mid-range game.”

The Wolves officially conclude the Mankato portion of their preseason tonight with a 5 p.m. exhibition game against the Milwaukee Bucks at MSU’s Bresnan Arena. Tickets are available at the door.

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