Despite huge numbers, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love was not named the NBA's Western Conference player of the month for February.
That award went to Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who averaged 30.0 points and 10.7 rebounds in 11 February games.
Love, who won player of the week honors Monday, finished the month of February averaging 34.0 points and 14.1 rebounds and three made three-pointers per game. Nobody in the league averaged more points or rebounds, and Love became the first NBA player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average 34 points and 14 rebounds in a month.
At one point during the month Love had six consecutive games with 30 or more points.
But it turns out the most important number the league considered was victories. Griffin's Clippers went 7-4 in February. The Wolves, despite their strong finish to the month, were 5-6 in 11 February games.
But that doesn't diminish the way Love played during a time when the Wolves were without center Nikola Pekovic and guard Kevin Martin for a long stretch because of injuries.
"More than anything it was opportunity," Love said Wednesday morning. "A lot of guys have stepped it up, not just myself. The fact that Pek and K-Mart were out, I had to do all I could just to keep us kind of in the fight. So, yeah, I had a good February. I fought as hard as I could."
That is a fact not lost on his teammates.