Kevin Love vs Blake Griffin

Leor_77 · Post #1 » by **Leor_77** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:20 pm

I'm a Clippers fan, but I wanted to get your guys' take on this comparison. No doubt, it would be a CRIME if either wasn't in the All-Star game. I have my own thoughts, but will share them after I hear your opinions first.

Blake Griffin

Pts 22.7
Reb 12.7
Ast 3.4
FG 52.4%

Kevin Love

Pts 21.3
Reb 15.6
Ast 2.5
FG 46.6%

CoffeeJanitor · Post #2 » by **CoffeeJanitor** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:23 pm

Love is more efficient, but I'll take Griffin.

mandurugo · Post #3 » by **mandurugo** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:33 pm

one guy changes a teams chance of winning the game.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #4 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:35 pm

I give the tie breaker to Griffin for winning the head to head matchups, being more unguardable (by a large margin) and having a better team record. Gordon should get in too.

Leor_77 · Post #5 » by **Leor_77** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:55 pm

My take, taken from my discussion with Clippers fans:

Though I don't watch Kevin Love quite as much, my understanding is that he might be a slightly better mid-range shooter, is certainly a much better 3-point shooter and free throw shooter, and seems to get more rebounds (Might get a few more boards due to Darko not being a particularly great rebounder, though). But overall, though, he is technically the better rebounder. I also actually think that they are both very good ball handlers.

Griffin has a flashier game, with flashier dunks...Besides that, I think that he is similar to Love, although he is definitely stronger and more athletic that him. He is able to go to the basket and finish stronger than Love, and, given the choice, I would generally prefer to throw the basket to Blake on the post. Because Blake goes to the basket more, he averages about 2-3 more free throws than him. Also because he goes to the basket with so much strength, his Field Goal percentage is higher than Love's.

Both awesome players and all stars no doubt. I would slightly take Blake at this point, but K Love is not far behind at all.

Piecake · Post #6 » by **Piecake** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:58 pm

Both should get in, but Griffin's game is just much much more all-star gamey than Love's.

As for a player comparison, Griffin has a higher ceiling and I would take him since it is easier to build around a player like him, but Love would fantastic playing next to a defensive center and wings that can penetrate and get to the hole. The wolves have a decent center, but really lack wings that can break their man off the dribble(the only wing we have with ok handles is Beasley - the rest suck) and take it to the bucket. Love would be really effective playing with those types of players because not only can he stretch the D for the wide open shot, but he can also crash the offensive boards, and I think there would be a lot more opportunities for offensive rebounds when players force the bigs to play help D and get them out of rebounding position.

Piecake · Post #7 » by **Piecake** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:03 am

Leor_77 wrote:My take, taken from my discussion with Clippers fans:

Though I don't watch Kevin Love quite as much, my understanding is that he might be a slightly better mid-range shooter, is certainly a much better 3-point shooter and free throw shooter, and seems to get more rebounds (Might get a few more boards due to Darko not being a particularly great rebounder, though). But overall, though, he is technically the better rebounder. I also actually think that they are both very good ball handlers.

I think Love is a much better shooter since I think he is one of the better shooters in the league. As for rebounds, you can take it the other way too. Since Darko isnt an impressive rebounder, teams dont worry about him and focus all of their attention blocking out Love and keeping off the glass, and still cant do it.

Don't forget, he was putting up similar rebounding rates when he was playing alongside Big Al, who is a pretty good rebounder, he was just getting less minutes so the per game numbers didnt look as impressive

[RCG] · Post #8 » by **[RCG]** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:18 am

If you're suggesting a Griffin for Love swap I'll take it :wink:

I think both of them are deserving, Blake probably more so.

shangrila · Post #9 » by **shangrila** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:08 am

Both are deserving of All Star slots but if I had to take one it would be Griffin. He's a legit #1, dominant, take you out back kind of player. I love Love but he's more of an awesome #2, fill in the cracks kind of guy.

Post #10 » by **Calinks** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:27 am

Griffin is an offensive Juggernaut and he tears away the the will of other teams. That alone puts him ahead of Love. The way Griffin plays will get you more wins. He's a killer, an assassin.He's a guy who will slug the other team in the mouth and put them down, every great team needs that guy.

Ice32 · Post #11 » by **Ice32** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:30 am

All that really matters, is that Love should make the ALL-NBA 3rd team

I say let Griffin play in the Rookie game and put Love in the All-Star game

However, Griffins team is better and Griffin is putting up disgusting numbers for a rookie. Took Love 4 years to get to the level hes at now. Griffin will be an All-Star for years to come. Love deserves a spot this year.

UK-Wolf · Post #12 » by **UK-Wolf** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:47 am

To put it quite simply, Blake can win the Clippers a game more or less single handedly, Love cannot win us a game on his own. Griffin owns the paint, Love doesn't have much of a post game but is one of the best offensive rebounders in the League, if not, THE best. Griffin is better at drawing fouls and finishing but on the perimeter/mid range I think Love has it comfortably. Not by much, but I'd give it to Griffin.

Twolves98 · Post #13 » by **Twolves98** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:29 am

Ice32 wrote:All that really matters, is that Love should make the ALL-NBA 3rd team

I say let Griffin play in the Rookie game and put Love in the All-Star game

However, Griffins team is better and Griffin is putting up disgusting numbers for a rookie. Took Love 4 years to get to the level hes at now. Griffin will be an All-Star for years to come. Love deserves a spot this year.

Actually this is only Loves 3rd year in the league and Griffins 2nd ( I know he sat out last year but that doesn't mean he didn't learn anything). Griffen is 6 months younger than Love but as far as that goes theyare pretty similar.

I think that this year of the two Love if more deserving of an all-star spot just because those are rediculus numbers, but if I was starting a new team if would choose Griffen over Love in a heartbeat. If the allstar game was picking the best player both would be in but players like Yao Ming will get in on populartity.

Basically to some it up. If your building a championship team you choose Griffen to lead it but Love will be the do all player that you cannot build a championship team without and who doesn't need plays run for him.

No_Pressure · Post #14 » by **No_Pressure** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:03 am

If only Love could be as athletic, as Griffin is, o-o-o-o-h!

pumunga · Post #15 » by **pumunga** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:06 am

Love. Has more put-backs, is a better offensive and defensive rebounder, is a better 3 point, free throw, and mid range shooter. I think Love is a better overall passer, Not sure who wins the IQ debate, or better defensive player. I dont think either are too impressive in the ball handling(haha) category. The Blakers plays way too wrecklessly, I've heard you cant build a winning championship franchise around a guy like Griffin , but i dont believe that. Love has higher PER and EFF. In the case for who should make all star team - both .

crimsonkb24 · Post #16 » by **crimsonkb24** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:23 am

I'd take Love over Griffin. 15,6 rpg is just too sick in today's game. But Blake's athleticism and style of play is much more spectacular, so people like him more.

Greco21 · Post #17 » by **Greco21** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:26 am

pumunga wrote:Love. Has more put-backs, is a better offensive and defensive rebounder, is a better 3 point, free throw, and mid range shooter. I think Love is a better overall passer, Not sure who wins the IQ debate, or better defensive player. I dont think either are too impressive in the ball handling(haha) category. The Blakers plays way too wrecklessly, I've heard you cant build a winning championship franchise around a guy like Griffin , but i dont believe that. Love has higher PER and EFF. In the case for who should make all star team - both .

I disagree large on the Handling. Blake has a really good and fast dribble even on the spin moves.

On the overall debate Blake has greater impact. Pure numbers and individual skills Love edges Blake. But Blake is a turning point in this league. He is fear. You do not enter the painted area with him around, he gets too much focus on offense... He makes noise. You are afraid to go challenge him because sooner or later you will become a poster. Love is more efficient but will not grab a rebound with his knee over a centers head... (exaggerating a bit but...)

funkatron101 · Post #18 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:15 pm

Griffin....Whatever, he's no Anthony Randolph. .. .... :lol:

I remember seeing, and calling out certain Warriors and later Knicks fans would were reluctant, or flat out refused taking Griffin in exchange for Randolph.

Since the start of the season, the Clippers have been my second favorite team. I love the Griffin/Gordon duo.

I even redesigned their primary and secondary logos.

TDWOLVESFAN · Post #19 » by **TDWOLVESFAN** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:23 pm

I think Griffin will be an elite player in the NBA but his freethrow attempts are inflated because he already gets the "veteran" calls which no player should get anyway. In the long run, barring injuries, Griffin will probably be an all star numerous times.

With that said - Love is achieving the numbers without being anywhere near as athletic as Griffin. Harder yet to do without the "veteran" calls. Love's stats would be even better if he didn't get hammered on the offensive end 3-5 times a game without getting freethrows. Also, he is held or pushed during most of the rebounding action without the benefit of those calls either.

If he got even 25% of those calls, I think he should be shooting 4-5 more freethrows per game which would be roughly 4 pts per game. - We have lost about 6 games by 4 pts or less and another 6 games by 7 pts or less, games in which we had to foul at the end of the game to get the ball back. I think our record would be more like 17-26 if Love got the calls Griffin gets. So he would be having similar impact on his team as Griffin is.

abrewbro68 · Post #20 » by **abrewbro68** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:59 pm

It's got to be Griffin.

I look at it from the standpoint of which one is more suitable to have a franchise built around and I would think the obvious answer would have to be Griffin. Not to take anything away from Love because his season so far has been great, but he is a garbage man offensively. And although he does it very well he still needs someone to create space for him to get his shot. I just don't think you can build a successful franchise around a guy like that.

You can dump the ball into Griffin and get out of the way because he's going to find a way to get his shot. You see flashes of that from Love occasionally but you should because this is the NBA and at times everyone beats there man one on one. But that's not Loves game.