Kevin Love nearly guarantees Timberwolves will make playoffs

Kevin Love returned to the Twin Cities last week and, after just a few days back in the Midwest, the Olympic gold medalist spoke to the Minnesota Timberwolves' assembled media on Tuesday afternoon. It was pretty much a run of the mill catch-up session, but the power forward was pretty positive when it came to comments about the upcoming season.

Love wasn't overly enamored at points during last season, but the rebounding machine has a much better outlook for this year's squad that will include news faces Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger, Greg Stiemsma, Lou Amundson and Alexey Shved.

Love was asked if he'd say that the Wolves would be an NBA Playoff team this year and, according to the transcription given by the Pioneer Press, the answer came back in the form of an apparent guarantee.

"Why wouldn't I say that?" he said. "Yeah, we're going to make the playoffs. I have faith in this team; I have faith in what we've done this offseason."

It'll be interesting to see if the team can help him live up to those lofty standards.