First off, congrats. You guys are probably the title favorites (although I think the West wins the first one as you guys learn to gel together).
Second off, there's a lot of things people misunderstand about Love. He scored 26.1 points per game with a .591 TS%. I hear people saying Love can't create his own shot. Ignore stupid, Love can create his own step-back 3 point shot and is a bruiser in the paint. He does not take mid-range shots often, he either powers into the paint or takes the 3. And, yes, he is a bruiser AND a finesse player. Love took a ridiculous 6.6 3 point attempts per game, but he also took 8.2 FTAs per game as he draws a lot of fouls in the paint. Look at his shot chart:
http://stats.nba.com/playerShotchart.ht ... rID=201567
Love took 524 shots within 8 feet and 633 FTAs. Think about that. Love is not a finesse PF, he's a bruiser PF/C who shoots 3s. He's actually better at defending stronger, slower players (aka Centers) then he is at defending more athletic PFs because they can't back him down. Love/LeBron/Marion smallball is going to be something that works better than you think.
On defense there are a few things to point out. First, his above the rim/help defense is terrible. He'll get a hand in the lanes sometimes, he'll muscle guys out of the paint, but he's not going to block anyone. But he's not completely worthless on "team defense", defensive rebounds make a big difference and he's the best rebounding PF in the game. Love's man-defense is actually near-average when he gives effort. Love's biggest problem is he is a Prima donna. When the Wolves were playing for a playoff spot, Love's defense was ok (not great by any measure, but not horrible). Then, about 6 weeks from the end of the season, Love decided we weren't going anywhere and stopped trying. He whined to the refs instead of running back, didn't give full effort, basically just went for his numbers on offense and screw defending anyone.
You probably won't get that Love. You'll get the "I'm playing for a championship and will actually try on defense" version of Love. But that's clearly his biggest fault, his attitude sucks too often.
Also, Love is the best outlet passing big in the NBA. Noah is the best half-court passing big in the NBA. But you're going to like Love more than you think passing. If your guards leak out he'll hit them. See Corey Brewer's fast break points for details.
IMHO, Love's best position is playing more in the paint and a little less on the perimeter than he did in Minnesota. He can get offensive rebounds as well as anyone and draws fouls/muscles around the other team's PFs in a maddening way. He's a wrecking ball down low when the long/lean PFs guard him while getting positions... and then they try to get physical after he gets the ball and you can't do that. But that's going to be on your coach, if he lets Love play on the 3 point line too often that's going to hurt the team overall.
Lastly, Love doesn't need the ball in his hand a lot to be effective. I really think he's a perfect fit with LeBron offensively. I would love to see them run small-ball pick and roll/pick and pop against the other team's PF/C. Good luck putting a PF/C on LeBron and Love on the perimeter. Plus if you have Love rolling in with LBJ, you're going to get some nice offensive rebounds. With Allen/Irving/Miller on the 3 point line it should be interesting.
Anyway, good luck next year. Hope you get a Hibbert/Asik type center and give everyone else fits for a couple years. We'll take care of Wiggins for ya
