Kevin Love: Kevin Durant is the Leading MVP Candidate

Add Kevin Love to the list of star NBA players who have publicly endorsed Kevin Durant as the League’s most valuable player this season. From the Dan Patrick Show (via SRI): “What he makes of people saying he is only putting up numbers because someone has to score on a bad team: ‘I think people are ridiculous. There have been bad teams where people have put up numbers but not quiet numbers like this and we’re winning this year. Last year you definitely could’ve said that and had an argument that was warranted but this year we’re knocking at the door of the playoffs, on the outside looking in still, but we could have a good run here these last 14 games and eventually make the eight seed. Really we’re four or five games out of the fourth spot so we’re looking to just keep winning games. When people say that I don’t listen to it. They just don’t know what they’re talking about.’ […] On the best team in the West: ‘Oklahoma City without a question. I think obviously you have the reigning champs with the Dallas Mavericks, you have a team that is older but still effective in San Antonio, the Lakers with those big fellas in there with (Pau) Gasol and Bynum and always Kobe Bryant so they’re going to be scary come postseason play but I think the best team in the West is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Plain and simple.’ Whether he belongs in the MVP conversation: ‘I think if we make the playoffs then it’s a legitimate conversation to have but as far as right now it’s really tough to say. I look at guys like Kobe Bryant, I look at guys like LeBron James and especially with what Kevin Durant is doing I think he is just taking his team above and beyond. Obviously Russell Westbrook is playing great, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, and guys off the bench that are playing great basketball so I think you really have to start off that conversation with Kevin.’”