It's not too late to promote love for Love

A disappointing Wolves season is winding down, giving way to a humorous but serious campaign for Rookie of the Year votes.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: April 4, 2009 - 9:12 AM

"Oh, hello America."

So starts the fictitious Kevin Love infomercial pitching Mr. Love Miracle Glass Cleaner. Meant to showcase Love's knack to, ahem, clean up rebounds this season, a DVD containing the four-minute spot, a bottle of window wash concentrate, a Love towel, sponge and statistic booklet is being sent this week to the nearly 125 media members who vote on Rookie of the Year.

Devised by the Timberwolves promotions staff (the same people who this winter put out the Al Jefferson All-Star Game GPS road map), the concept overembellishes those quirky television spots (think the Snuggie or ShamWow). The end product teeters on corny; the idea to get the word out about Love is sincere.

Love enters tonight's game in Utah with 25 double-doubles, the most among rookies. His 254 offensive rebounds trail only Orlando's Dwight Howard (306) league-wide.

"I think I've done as good as just about anybody," Love said.

Those statistics and a host of others are featured in the video clip, which also showcases cameo appearances by assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff and, fittingly, reserve forward Brian ("The Custodian") Cardinal.

"It was cool," Cardinal said. "How many chances do you have to be a part of something like that? He's been huge for us. We have a lot of bright spots on this team, and Love ... has done well. He's played hard, been aggressive and that's what we need from him."

Love's minutes this season were limited through the Wolves' first 50 games, a span where he played 30 or more minutes in just eight games. In the 26 games since, Love has played 30-plus in 10 times. He has started in all but one of those.

The big difference? A season-ending knee injury to Jefferson. In his absence, Love has had to step up in that big man role. He has struggled at times -- especially on defense -- but, as Love has pointed out time and again since Jefferson's injury Feb. 8, everything happens for a reason.

"Going up against guys like [Toronto's] Chris Bosh, [Utah's] Carlos Boozer, players like that, I'm definitely going to have to get better at individual defense," Love said. "That's going to have to be one of my biggest keys this offseason."

The smart money is on Chicago guard Derrick Rose to win Rookie of the Year. The top pick in last summer's draft is averaging 16.6 points and 6.2 assists per game and has helped the Bulls into the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

Still, the added awareness for Love can't hurt.

He never took an acting class at UCLA, but he pulls off the faux commercial well for all to see.

"It was pretty good, pretty funny, pretty amusing," said Love, who wasn't shy early this season about his want to endorse products for real. "Mr. Love Miracle Glass Cleaner. Buy it now."

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