Kevin Love on list of players who could break out

[theGreatRC]

Every starting five needs at least one big man, right? Love is our choice here for the craftiness he shows on the floor while playing in an overlap tandem with Al Jefferson. The one-and-done UCLA star has come off the Wolves' bench in 17 of his last 18, despite that team's need for rebounding. Love has grabbed 21.4 percent of rebounds available while he's been in games this season, a single-season share that -- among players age 22 or younger -- ranks behind only Dwight Howard, Danny Fortson and Mose Malone (twice). He has had 27 double-doubles and 30 games of 10 rebounds or more, has added 40 percent shooting from the arc as a wrinkle this season and, with his play overall, has thrown gas on those Jefferson trade rumors.

The list includes:

Derrick Rose
Tyreke Evans
Russell Westbrook
Stephen Curry
Kevin Love

No real surprise with most of the names on the list, but I like that KLove is getting some love by writers. If he breaks out in his third season(Not stats, but becomes the undisputed best player on the team) then I wouldn't mind trading Jefferson for a SF or a C if we don't get Turner.(I want Wall though)

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/s ... ef:nbahpt1

[southern wolf]

It would be interesting to see Love's numbers per game when coming off the bench. Assburner obviously didn't look them up before writing that piece.

But I'm glad Love's getting the recognition he deserves. He could definitely be a big break-out player next season, especially if Al is moved.

[hijacktheparade]

It would be interesting to see Love's numbers per game when coming off the bench. Assburner obviously didn't look them up before writing that piece.

But I'm glad Love's getting the recognition he deserves. He could definitely be a big break-out player next season, especially if Al is moved.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/s ... yerId=3449
"Off Bench"

[big3_8_19_21]

Nice, but those are all players (including Love) that have have established themselves as players in the league already in their young careers...I guess one of them could explode to superstardom, but to say that these are players that are prime to break out is a little silly. Rose, Evans, Westbrook, Curry, and Love? Way to really go out on a limb Aschburner.

[mandurugo]

If Love becomes the best player on the team... well I don't see how that happens unless the team is terrible again. On the other hand, I've seen on some other sites that he's already better than KG, Wade and Kobe, so maybe it's not that unlikely.

[shangrila]

I don't see how much more Love can break out really. Like, how much more development does he have? He's already an awesome passer and rebounder, good at scoring off garbage plays and has improved his shooting. I guess he could improve his defence and post scoring, but I don't think he's physically able to do that.

[Krapinsky]

Then he should get on that ProActiv business

[Slum_Dillinger]

I don't see how much more Love can break out really. Like, how much more development does he have? He's already an awesome passer and rebounder, good at scoring off garbage plays and has improved his shooting. I guess he could improve his defence and post scoring, but I don't think he's physically able to do that.

If he works on his cardio, strength, and tries to tone up the slight chub look he's got going on as well as some explosiveness around the rim it will go a long way in helping him finish at the basket. I mean Craigers is like 5'11 and still managed to get his shot off against bigger guys just by bullying people.

Its not so much adding huge new pieces to his game as it is refining and tweaking the little things.

[shangrila]

Let's be honest here, Craig Smith is 6-6.

I get that he can refine what he's got. But I think what he contributes to the team is mostly maxed out. Not don't get me wrong, because that's not bad, but I don't think scoring an extra bucket or two and grabbing one more rebound a game should be considered a breakout.

I guess I just have an issue with the list.

[revprodeji]

Smith has an amazingly quick floater. I do not know another player that is not a pg that has that shot.

I think Love has a lot of improvement he can do in his overall post game and defense. In the post we know he has a nice baby hook, and he has a bank shot but he rarely uses either. We saw that his 3pt shot improved a ton and I think he can use this summer to make himself a legit offensive thread by his own merit and not just as an option off someone else. With his shot and ball fakes he should be a high post monster. Also remember the kid is just 21 and could have room to improve in physical strength and conditioning, which will help his finishing.

On defense he has the desire, but needs the experience and better conditioning.

I think love could max out as a 2 or 3 type player next to a strong pg or scorer. My best case future scenario is a line-up of Love, Turner, Rubio, Brewer with a legit 5.

I agree that Love could be a 6th man type with 30min, but is that best for him or us?

[horaceworthy]

Love has a lot of room to grow. He's got a lot of work to do on his defense, and his decision making in the half court needs a lot of work. He's either got to learn to finish better around the basket or get the ball to someone who can instead of forcing up a poor shot. I think his face-up game shows some potential, he should go through old Wally tapes to improve his jab series. The outlet passes are great, but he's got a lot of room to improve as a passer in the halfcourt.