Kevin Love is the best rebounder in the NBA

Nov 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) and and Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) go for a rebound in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Disclaimer: I did a lot of digging on the new SportVU camera data, and I will be posting some interesting results throughout the night.

It sure is good to see Kevin Love back in the NBA. After missing most of last year due to multiple injuries, Love has returned and bolstered a Timberwolves team that is looking like a real contender. Kevin Love is one of the most skilled players in the entire NBA, as he can shoot from long distance, and he is a walking double double.

Love has always been one of the best rebounders since he entered the league, and now thanks to the new SportVU cameras, we get an inside look at how he gets those numbers. Love is second in the NBA in rebounding with 14.2 rebounds per game, and he trails Dwight Howard by just .7 rebounds. Well, according to the new data, Kevin Love is leading the league in rebounding chances per game with 22.6. That means that he is the best at getting in position for rebounds in the NBA.

The impressive thing about that stat is the fact that Love spends a lot of time on the perimeter, and he isn’t the tallest–or most athletic–guy on his team. He has to guard stretch 4’s and he is in the paint with Nikola Pekovic. His rebounding leads to beautiful outlet passes (to Corey Brewer, a.k.a. Mr. Leak), and it gets the offense rolling. Love may not be that athletic, but he makes rebounding an art.

Stats via NBA.com. Check out today’s Fansided NBA Podcast here.

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