clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Minnesota Timberwolves Training Camp 2011: Kevin Love Excited To Return To Court With Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love plays like a savvy veteran so it is easy to forget the emerging team leader of young Wolves, is himself young at just 23 years old.

After averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds per game last year by putting up double-doubles at a record clip, Love started training camp on Friday in great shape and ready to play. Fox Sports North caught up with Love during the Media Day portion of camp which revealed a fit Love with taught chin, the result of dropping 25 pounds during the offseason/lockout.

Love is excited to get started with the new young players on the team in Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams, along with veteran coach Rick Adelman taking over to mold the young players into winners. Adelman will lean on Love to provide leadership and the power forward is more than willing, regardless of what his age shows in the program.

As far as leadership goes, I've done a lot of growing up this summer. I don't want people to look at me like I'm a 22-, 23-year-old, 24-year-old kid anymore. Really, that is just a number. It's something that Rick and I talked about. I really have to step up and first and foremost just show it on the court, night in and night out and in practice and begin to be more vocal. I know that the players on the team definitely respect me. I respect them. Hopefully, we can all bring it together as well.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.