Kevin Love’s view: Lakers unbeatable if Kobe keeps this up

Kevin Love just finished his rookie NBA season with the Minnesota Timberwolves after one year at UCLA, where he was an All-American. Love is working for NBA TV during the Finals.

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I don’t think the Lakers can be beat any time Kobe Bryant plays the way he did. Not with all the other stars on that team. Pau Gasol was the second-leading scorer, Andrew Bynum played pretty well and, what, Dwight Howard made only one field goal. I don’t think the Lakers could have been beaten in Game 1.

It’s tough, really, for Orlando because the Magic can only hope to contain a guy like Kobe, and offensively I think they need to get other guys to cut more off Howard. I think Rafer Alston said that, that they can’t stand around and watch Dwight. With the double teams and stuff, three-pointers aren’t going to be open unless they all start moving.

Breaking down the Lakers’ defense, I thought that from all season that was the best defense I saw the Lakers play.

I was very surprised at the blowout. I didn’t think the Lakers would get to 100 points because Orlando has such an intimidating defensive presence in Howard, who’s 6-11, and Rashard Lewis, who’s 6-10.

But when Kobe scores 40 points, Orlando starts double-teaming, Kobe penetrates, that opens up everything else.

People give Bynum a hard time, but I think he set a good tempo early on. He got a dunk, he was really active.

I don’t know if this series can go to six if Kobe keeps playing that way.