Stern Shows Kevin Some Love

NBA Commissioner David Stern named Minnesota Timberwolves PF/C Kevin Love as Yao Ming's replacement in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. The 30-year-old Ming played in five games this season before a stress fracture sidelined him for the rest of the 2010/11 season. Despite missing most of this season and all of last season, Ming was voted by the fans to be the starting center for the Western Conference for both seasons (EP begs you to show us proof that the fan vote works).

The 6'10 Love leads the Timberwolves in field goal percentage.

Meanwhile, Love has recorded 44 double-doubles this season, including a 35-game streak in-progress. He's seen a spike in his rebounds and points per game during this season, improving from 11 RPG and 14 PPG to 15.5 RPG (best in the league) and 21.3 PPG (3rd best for power forwards).

This marks the first All-Star appearance for Love, 22. He did, though, participate in the 2010 Rookie/Sophomore Game, contributing 12 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort. 

Los Angeles hosts this year's contest, which makes the game even more meaningful for Love, who grew up in nearby Santa Monica, CA and played one season at UCLA before leaving for the NBA.
  

The third year Love provides a fresh face for a team dominated by names like Bryant, Nowitzki, and Duncan.

The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Love 5th overall in 2008 and then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in an eight-person deal headlined by Love and fellow draft pick OJ Mayo. 


- Jeff Laboon