Kevin Love prides himself on being an inside force as well as a rebounding machine in the NBA. Love has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA when it comes to double doubles in points and rebounds. So far this season, he has five double doubles in eight games and is averaging 17.6 points and 12.0 rebounds to go along with 2.8 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers made per game.
Love however, is on the verge of becoming one of the only players in NBA history to reach 300 double doubles. So far, only 39 players have had more than 300 double doubles, and Kevin Love will tie A.C. Green for 38th on the double doubles list with his next one. He’s 12th among all active players for double doubles, and also holds the record for most consecutive double doubles since the 1985-86 season with 53.
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In the 2013-14 season, Love played in 77 out of a possible 82 games, and had an impressive 65 double-doubles.
Love may not be averaging as many points as he was in his Minnesota days, but he’s still rebounding at a high rate for a team that has some fierce rebounders in Tristan Thompson, Timofey Mozgov, Anderson Varejao, and LeBron James.
“I think I’m getting a lot of different looks this year,” Love said. “I don’t know if that’s a product of Shump and Kyrie being out, but I think from a comfort standpoint and just looking at how the offense breaks down, so far just getting near the basket it’s a lot better for me.”
Love had a usage rate of 21.6% last year and was responsible for 32.3% of their total rebounds and 22.3% of their total points. Love’s usage rate through eight games is at 24.6% and is responsible for 36.2% of the team’s total rebounds and 23.2% of their total points, despite Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson, and Tristan Thompson all having red hot starts to their season.
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The increase in usage is not surprising, but it is great to see that Love is going this while seeing the exact same minutes this season as he had last season at 33.8 per game. He’s been mixing it up by playing closer to the rim and stretching the floor to hit three pointers, all this to make sure he’s featured in the offense a lot more. He’s made an average of 5.5-of-12.7 field goals last year, but has upped his makes and attempts to 6.3-of-15.4 this season.
Moving forward, Kevin Love should keep his role, usage rate, and statistical numbers up to these standards with the eventual returns of Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert.