http://goo.gl/edFrzl Kevin Love's statistics show he deserves to start in the NBA All-Star Game, but 20,000 votes said otherwise. Although Love ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring (25 points a game) and second in rebounding (13), he trailed Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin by about 20,000 votes for the last frontcourt spot after the third round of voting returns in early January. On Thursday, Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders knocked on Love's hotel room door, "You're gonna be an all-star starter, buddy." "That was a pretty surreal moment for me," Love said. Love was an all-star selection in 2011 and 2012, but now he's the Wolves' first starter since Kevin Garnett in 2007. "It's a little sweeter this way because I really didn't expect it," Love said during a conference call from Califronia, where the Wolves will play Golden State on Friday. With campaign rallies during games at Target Center, Wolves fans pushed Love past Houston center Dwight Howard, who was ahead of him and Griffin in early voting. "Hey, I'm popular now!" Love joked, adding, "It's humbling to be starting in the All-Star Game." Love will join Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Griffin in the frontcourt. Golden State's Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant were selected by the fans in the backcourt. The 63rd NBA All-Star Game will be Feb. 16 in New Orleans. "He is certainly deserving of being voted in as a starter," Saunders said in a statement. "You look at his numbers, his commitment to making his teammates better and his overall value to our team this year. He's certainly having an all-star caliber season. He's been a joy to watch this year." Durant led the West with 1.3 million votes. Curry had 1 million, Bryant 988,000, Griffin 688,000 and Love 661,000. The Eastern Conference starters will be Miami's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Indiana's Paul George, the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and Cleveland's Kyrie Irving. Wolves guard Ricky Rubio was 10th (124,000 votes) in voting for the West's backcourt. Also Thursday, USA Basketball announced that Love is in the 28-player pool from which it will select its 2016 Olympic team. Love played on the gold-medal-winning team at the 2012 London Olympics. At the All-Star Game, Love wants Wolves center Nikola Pekovic to join him regardless of whether he is named as a Western Conference reserve. "I would love to bring Pek with me," Love said. "And if he doesn't make the game, he can be my bodyguard down there." --- 恭喜!!! Love自己很意外這結果。繼07年KG明星賽先發後，首度又有灰狼球員。 --

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