Kevin Love, a seasoned player in the NBA, is embarking on his 18th season, now with the Utah Jazz. At 37, Love is taking on a fresh challenge in a new city and embracing a role where he can share his experience with younger players.
“I really like it here, and I see this as a completely new challenge,” Love said. “I keep telling the young guys that I want to ‘pay it forward,’ and it feels good to come in every day and feel like I’m making a difference. Even though my knees might disagree after 30 years of playing basketball, I actually feel great.”
Love acknowledges that he’s not the same player he was earlier in his career, but he remains passionate about the game. “I’m not going to play every game, but I want to give it my all every time I step on the court. I love playing, even though the business side of basketball can sometimes be tough with trades and contracts. But overall, the NBA has been good to me, and I want to stay involved as long as I can,” he said.
To keep himself in top condition, Love relies on sports science and recovery methods. He also uses products from Shift Naturals, a wellness brand that helps him relax and recover after practices and games. These sugar-free and alcohol-free drinks and gummies are made in Oregon, close to Love’s hometown of Portland.
“This is my 18th season, and I’ve always focused on recovery and consistency. It’s great to have healthy options that actually taste good,” Love explained. “I use the gummies to unwind after putting my daughter to bed or after a workout. I also drink the sparkling waters at night to relax and recover from the day.”
Love believes that the increasing knowledge in sports science has helped extend the careers of many players. He points to stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, who are still performing at a high level later in their careers.
“We didn’t have these kinds of healthy alternatives when I first started in the league,” Love said. “Now, with things like Shift, which are designed to help you wind down, it’s great to have these options.”
He added, “Sports science has given us so many different tools, and longevity is now a real possibility. You see guys playing for 15, 20, or even more years. These players are still playing at a very high level even as they get older. It’s because of things like special drinks, hyperbaric chambers, red light therapy, and contrast therapy. All of these things have been proven to help players have longer and healthier careers.”
Love wishes he had known more about these resources earlier in his career. He says that understanding how these tools can affect the body and mind is crucial. He credits players who have managed to stay healthy for so long, even though they didn’t have access to these resources when they started.
Looking ahead, Love predicts that longer careers will become more common as players continue to benefit from scientific knowledge and healthier lifestyles.
“I think you’re going to see more and more players playing for 15 or 20 years because they have access to all of this information and technology,” Love said. “It’s going to be amazing to see these long careers and how players will be able to perform at a high level for longer. They’ll also be healthier long-term after they retire.”
Love believes that taking care of the body leads to a healthier mind, which results in a more fulfilling life. “If you take care of your body, you’ll feel better every day. You’ll be a younger parent, a younger spouse. It’s going to make for a better life,” he concluded.
