All rookie team: Kevin Love?

[Devilzsidewalk]

It was interesting. I was checking out the Player Comparison board and saw numerous threads on Beasley and comparisons with him vs. other rookies, young players, and forwards. Not once did I see anything with Beasley vs. Kevin Love, the 2nd highest drafted forward. There is a sizable thread on Beasley vs. Randolph. Is this Love getting no respect (again) or have they distanced themselves so drastically that they are no longer in the same conversation? It gets rather annoying seeng all the chatter about other rookies (Rose, Beasley, & Randolph mainly) and others getting so little praise. Some of this may be market size and fan-base size here, but educated fans should be able to see all of the rookies for what they are worth.

That really grinds my gears.

Kevin Love is the stealth bomber of NBA rookies.

I'm the stealth bomber of the bathroom at my work

"WHAT HAPPENED HERE!!????"

meanwhile I'm already back at my desk, mission accomplished

[john2jer]

Pretty sure Kevin Love glows in the dark. EVERYONE sees him coming.

[jpatrick]

This was from David Thorpe's chat on ESPN today:

Chris, Germany: A colleague of mine told me that if he could draft Blake Griffin for the Bulls, he would instantly trade him for Kevin Love. Would you?

David Thorpe: Probably, but I have not studied him enough.

I trust Thorpe alot more than most ESPN guys, but no way would I trade Griffin for Love and I like Love alot. Thorpe is a big Love guy (so at least one national media guy is), I think he currently has him rated as the third best rookie.

As far as Love chatter, I think the average rube thinks Love is what he is and doesn't have the upside of some of the other rookies. Personally, I think if Love can work on his body and become more explosive so he can finish a little better around the rim and start consistently hitting that 18 footer, he can become a pretty lethal scorer (Boozer type of scorer) to go along with his rebounding.

[C.lupus]

I don't disagree with you jpatrick but even if Love "is what he is", it shouldn't affect the rookie team voting. Drafts are based on potential, awards are based on performance (or popularity).

[shrink]

This was from David Thorpe's chat on ESPN today:

Chris, Germany: A colleague of mine told me that if he could draft Blake Griffin for the Bulls, he would instantly trade him for Kevin Love. Would you?

David Thorpe: Probably, but I have not studied him enough.

I trust Thorpe alot more than most ESPN guys, but no way would I trade Griffin for Love and I like Love alot. Thorpe is a big Love guy (so at least one national media guy is), I think he currently has him rated as the third best rookie.

As far as Love chatter, I think the average rube thinks Love is what he is and doesn't have the upside of some of the other rookies. Personally, I think if Love can work on his body and become more explosive so he can finish a little better around the rim and start consistently hitting that 18 footer, he can become a pretty lethal scorer (Boozer type of scorer) to go along with his rebounding.

I mentioned this elsewhere (I think the trade board), but I think it fits here too.

One of the biggest risks that any player has prior to the draft is whether his college game will translate when he plays bigger, faster pros. Love has had a season to completely demolish this risk. He didn't just translate, he was one of the best rebounders in the whole league. And in his first year!

If Love could magically be put back in the 2009 draft, where would he fall? Griffin still carries that risk (though its unfair, because he has had no chance to remove it) while Love does not. Love is a very safe choice now. Love even comes with similar publicity (revenue streams), because of ESPN and the NBA2K as well.

I;m amazed I'm saying this, but I think we'd be discussing whether Love or Griffin would go first.