MINNEAPOLIS  — Kevin Love doesn’t see any reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves can’t make the playoffs this season. And he doesn’t understand why anyone would criticize him for thinking that way.

Love spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since returning from winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. He says the additions of Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved, among others, help address some of the deficiencies that hindered the Wolves last season.

At the end of last season, Love urged president David Kahn to add more veterans to one of the youngest teams in the league. He says he is delighted with the new faces and he “has faith in this team.”

Love is beginning the first season of a new four-year, $60 million contract extension.