Can Love's rookie impact = Horford's?

TrentTuckerForever · Post #1 » by **TrentTuckerForever** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:14 pm

I have a 3 month old, and the midnight feeding is my responsibility. So, I found out about the trade as it happened, and I've had a night to sleep on it already (well, most of a night... you single guys have NO idea how much sleep 8 hours, without interruption, really is.) It doesn't surprise me to see the disappointment in Mayo being moved, but here's my thought this morning after the trade has sunk in a bit:

Love won't be rookie of the year, BUT if he stays healthy he could have an impact like Al Horford did in Atlanta.

ATL was a disjointed mess before last year, and they're still not great. But Horford stepped in, as an undersized center, and made everyone else better with his toughness, rebounding and scoring. Horford was a more accomplished college player and a better athlete than Love, but I would argue Love is more skilled.

Love has the potential to bring together a bunch of talented young pieces who didn't mesh last year. You can't say that about Mayo... I love Mayo, but adding him would have necessitated more moves.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #2 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:19 pm

I like Love, and I hope Mike Miller stays too. I think both guys seem really smart, classy, and great additions towards the environment we're trying to build

Miller is only 28, and 50% fg, 43% 3pt, 6.6 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists - those numbers are pretty amazing actually. I think we're gonna see a lot better offensive flow this season. Huge upgrade in passing, shooting, rebounding, and team play overall.

Tirion · Post #3 » by **Tirion** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:29 pm

TrentTuckerForever wrote:ATL was a disjointed mess before last year, and they're still not great. But Horford stepped in, as an undersized center, and made everyone else better with his toughness, rebounding and scoring. Horford was a more accomplished college player and a better athlete than Love, but I would argue Love is more skilled.

Ummm... no.

Jim Stack jumped in and was more forthright and passionate, and voluble, than I've ever heard him. "People have said Kevin Love is not an athlete. I beg to differ," he said, saying that they ran him through a wide battery of tests at the combine and that "across the board, he measured almost identical to Al Horford." He cited Love being able to jump 35" and have a wingspan of 9'.

TMo519 · Post #4 » by **TMo519** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:33 pm

I think Al Horford is a great comparison. If he has that impact, I'll be happy.

lifelong · Post #5 » by **lifelong** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:34 pm

LOL, do you actually believe that Kevin Love has a NINE FOOT wingspan? that's insane. and stupid.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #6 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:35 pm

I'm sure they meant reach

TrentTuckerForever · Post #7 » by **TrentTuckerForever** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:07 pm

Devilzsidewalk wrote:I like Love, and I hope Mike Miller stays too. I think both guys seem really smart, classy, and great additions towards the environment we're trying to build

Miller is only 28, and 50% fg, 43% 3pt, 6.6 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists - those numbers are pretty amazing actually. I think we're gonna see a lot better offensive flow this season. Huge upgrade in passing, shooting, rebounding, and team play overall.

Agree. Plus we're only a Dan Dickau free agent signing away from being able to throw out a Bill Simmons "whitewash" - 5 white, American born players:

Miller
Cardinal
Love
Madsen
Dickau

(Oh yeah, that's Mad Dog at shooting guard. You read that right.)

Devilzsidewalk · Post #8 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:16 pm

I don't know about Dickau, I think I'd go after Drew Neitzel first

TrentTuckerForever · Post #9 » by **TrentTuckerForever** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:19 pm

Tirion wrote:
Jim Stack jumped in and was more forthright and passionate, and voluble, than I've ever heard him. "People have said Kevin Love is not an athlete. I beg to differ," he said, saying that they ran him through a wide battery of tests at the combine and that "across the board, he measured almost identical to Al Horford." He cited Love being able to jump 35" and have a wingspan of 9'.

Guess I'm some sort of genius.

Wingman · Post #10 » by **Wingman** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:37 pm

Love(age 19)
6'9.5"---255 lb---6'11.5" wing---8'10" reach---12.9% fat---35" vert---18 reps---11.17 s agility---3.22 3/4 court

Horford( age 21 when drafted)
6'9.75"---246lb---7'0.75" wing---8'11" reach---9.1% fat---35.5" vert---20 reps-12.15 s agility---3.37 3/4 court

Very very close. Horford has a slight reach advantage, but the only major difference is that Love is much more agile and fatter. Odd combo.

deeney0 · Post #11 » by **deeney0** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:40 pm

If it doesn't, I'm holding Devilz personally responsible.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #12 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:51 pm

I was afraid that might happen! I'm gonna go away for awhile and live in the jungle until this whole thing blows over.

Wingman · Post #13 » by **Wingman** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:11 pm

"Think of Love as Al Horford with three-point range."

http://www.nba.com/draft2008/rookies/ra ... 80626.html

deeney0 · Post #14 » by **deeney0** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:22 pm

Love does have range.

karch34 · Post #15 » by **karch34** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:26 pm

First of all congrats TTF. Our little guy turns 2 months next weekend. I feel the same way about sleep.

I'd like to think that Love could have that kind of impact. It's just tough for me to be optimistic as this is the umpteenth time this organization has gone in a direction that doesn't seem to make sense. Love was not high on my list, but I think he does have some talent and can contribute. My issue is that even if Mayo didn't want to play here, we didn't have to trade him within 2 hours, which just seems like this trade had some desperation to it.

If Love can be a Horford type player than I'll happily role with two PFs in the starting lineup rather than a pure center. I'm actually feeling bad for Love as he's going to have to have a huge season for the fans not to hate him, which is unfair for any rookie.

TrentTuckerForever · Post #16 » by **TrentTuckerForever** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:28 pm

Wingman wrote:Love(age 19)
6'9.5"---255 lb---6'11.5" wing---8'10" reach---12.9% fat---35" vert---18 reps---11.17 s agility---3.22 3/4 court

Horford( age 21 when drafted)
6'9.75"---246lb---7'0.75" wing---8'11" reach---9.1% fat---35.5" vert---20 reps-12.15 s agility---3.37 3/4 court

Very very close. Horford has a slight reach advantage, but the only major difference is that Love is much more agile and fatter. Odd combo.

Honest to God, I never read any of these links or assessments, never watched Horford play a game until the playoffs. It just occured to me that Love could have an IMPACT the same theat Horford had on his team... they physical similarities are really odd.

By the way, I think "agile and fatter" means "better athlete," right? We're probably selling Love short in that area, which happens a lot with white players. I'm as guilty as anyone of that.

TMo519 · Post #17 » by **TMo519** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:30 pm

Yes, I would actually say Love is the better athlete. He just runs funny is all lol. Seriously, how in the world can he be more agile and fatter. Man, if he gets his body into true shape, he could be a beast LOL

invno1 · Post #18 » by **invno1** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:34 pm

Congrats, Watching NBA press with Love, What a great Dude....Timberwolves will be very strong in the front court. Solid

collin_k41 · Post #19 » by **collin_k41** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:44 pm

Well, after a night of sleep I've woken up and figured out this is not a dream so....I'm starting to not mind the deal. All this Love=Horford with 3 point range is gettin me jacked about him.

Post #20 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:46 pm

TMo519 wrote:Yes, I would actually say Love is the better athlete.

No