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Injured Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, talking with teammates during Wednesday's game against the Spurs, hasn't had the season he was hoping for.
Photo: Genevieve Ross / Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — This was supposed to be the season of Love.

Kevin Love came to training camp with sky-high expectations for himself and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was planning to use last year's breakout performance and the confidence gained from playing a vital role in Team USA's march to the gold medal at the London Games as a springboard to elite status in the NBA.

What has followed has been a monumentally frustrating season filled with injuries and losses for a franchise that just can't seem to catch a break.

“I think there's a lesson to be learned with everything,” Love said on Thursday in his first day back at practice since having surgery on his broken shooting hand Jan. 15. “I think this has been a season that has put a lot into perspective, and whether it's directly or indirectly, just being in touch with a guy like Derrick Rose, talking to him and knowing what he's gone through, it's just tough.

“It's obviously two different injuries, but it really sets the groundwork for how hard I'm going to work this summer, the team included. But eventually we're going to hit a string where everybody's going to be healthy.”

The former All-Star had an upbeat disposition in his first meeting with the media in about three weeks, a stark contrast to earlier in the season when he struggled through the first of his two hand injuries. He is shooting a career-worst 35 percent in just 18 games this season, while the Wolves have sunk from a team that expected to make the playoffs to 12th in the West.

He hopes to return with about a month left in the regular season and start putting all the negativity of the first four months of the season behind him.

“It's hard for him because he wants to be here, especially with these moments that we are getting through,” Wolves guard Ricky Rubio said. “He wants to be here. But it's hard for him because he's recovering again from another injury.”
