It's about time Kevin Love got a thread

[TheLand13]

There's been quite a few threads made about the Cavaliers and the so called "surprising" run they've had this year. Yeah, I guess even I am a bit surprised by it. The main thing I'm surprised by is how well they've managed to rebound from losing Ricky Rubio, arguably the biggest surprise the Cavaliers had this year and one of the main factors in their turnaround. They just got done blowing out the defending champs on the set of a back to back, after just recently beating Brooklyn and having a 6 game road trip where they were 5-1. They've already topped the regular season record they had last year and we're not even at the all star break yet. That points to a massive turnaround on their end.

But the thing is, I've seen multiple reasons be given for this. Darius Garland having a breakout year (which he is), Evan Mobley doing a great job adjusting to the NBA (which he has), Jarrett Allen becoming a dominant center (which should have surprised no one but for some reason it did), and of course Rubio.

After what just happened with the Bucks however, I think it's about time we start giving Kevin Love the praise he deserves.

This is a guy who has taken on so much **** during his time since coming to Cleveland, literally from the very beginning. I don't know if people remember this or not, but there were a LOT of Cleveland fans who didn't want Wiggins to be traded for him. And trade rumors didn't take very long to start happening. In fact, those rumors started in Love's very first season with the team. In the one NBA Finals that he ends up winning, he barely gets to play in it due to a concussion (although he still got his moment when he locked up Curry so I'm happy he at least got that). And even after winning the title, and having a pretty damn good year the following season and in 2018 as well, he still took **** from the fanbase.

(I swear there's a point to all of this, just bare with me. )

Then LeBron leaves and Love elects to stay with Cleveland, and he signs a massive contract in the process. I'm pretty sure his thought process at the time was that he still felt that he was capable of leading the team to a playoff run and that they would stay competitive. But then reality set in and that simply did not happen. The last three years have consisted of Love having incredibly inconsistent production, multiple injuries, and on court incidents that made the fanbase call for his head.

I mean seriously, this just happened last year.

Watch on YouTube

I honestly felt bad for the guy. You could tell he was frustrated beyond comprehension, and to do something like that? The man reached his breaking point. And I couldn't help but think that his days in Cleveland were done.

And now here we are.

The man isn't even a starter anymore. And yet he's been one of the biggest reasons for their turnaround. The man just had a 25 point, 9 rebound performance against the defending champs, coming off of a 20 point 11 rebound performance the previous night. And the thing is, that wasn't even the best game of this season for him.

Kevin Love this year as the sixth man is averaging 14.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG, on 44% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from 3. He has had nine 20 point games, and one 30 point game. To add to that, he had a five game stretch where he scored at least 20 points in each game, with that 30 point game I just mentioned happening in that span. He ended up winning Eastern Conference player of the week during that period. To go along with all of this, he has had seven double doubles.

But above all else, the biggest thing I am noticing is that Kevin Love's game has changed drastically. All of a sudden, it no longer feels like he is coasting anymore. He's not just there collecting his money. He's not having mental breakdowns on the sidelines. He's out there having fun again. He's being supportive of his teammates. He's putting in the most work that I've seen in a very long time. It's like he's found his motivation to play the game of basketball again, and it's showing on the court. It's such an incredible thing to see. Has he been perfect? Of course not. There are still times where I want to dropkick him into a phone booth every time he gives up an easy basket. Some things never change and apparently, Kevin Love being a bad defender is one of them. But the big thing here is that his defense, or lack there of, isn't costing Cleveland games. It's not something teams can just take advantage of anymore. Cleveland is an elite defensive team, and when he's out there playing, there's always a Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley waiting in the paint behind him. This isn't like the LeBron days where the team as a whole was poor defensively. Those days are gone and I think a team like that is perfect for someone like Kevin Love.

This is going to be a hot take, and I understand that, but with everything that is going on right now, this needs to be said (and I will bold for emphasis):

I am starting to think that trading Kevin Love might not be the right move for Cleveland. I understand he still has a massive contract and eats up a ton of cap space, but his offense and rebounding off the bench has been huge for the Cavaliers, and without it, I seriously doubt Cleveland maintains the level of success that they are experiencing right now. Things are different now. Cleveland is not just a team trying to find its calling. They are not just trying to rebuild. They are third in the Eastern Conference. They are legitimate playoff contenders. I think not only should Kevin Love not be traded, but I'm wondering if Cleveland is starting to think that way as well.

I have to give massive props to Kevin Love for what he has managed to do this season. It's one of the most remarkable turnarounds I've ever seen. Maybe it shouldn't have come as a surprise, but at the same time, I don't necessarily think there was any reason to see this coming. All signs pointed to him being on the decline, but this is easily the best he's been since 2018. I'm happy for the guy, and he deserves to have his own thread where what he's been doing this year can be discussed in a positive matter for once.

[eskis]

Love

[TwoStarz]

To be honest, I've been watching the Cavs a lot this year because I just love Mobley and Garland along with what they have building there.

I was so surprised how silent this board was regarding K-Love. He caught a lot of heat the last few years and was often the scapegoat during the cavs run, but man, he has taken on that Veteran leadership role ( about time? ) this season and is helping the cavs with this HUGE turn around.

Props to him.

[TwoStarz]

Oh and, no one, and I MEAN NO ONE, wants to see Cleveland in the playoffs.

That frontline is scary.

[art_tatum]

Love would’ve been great post Lebron if it weren’t for injuries that ended his prime. When he came back the young guards were running the show and getting most the touches. He changed his game for that cavs super team and was a great player. People only remember his below avg contributions vs the warriors but it was just a bad matchup for him.
Clearly when he tries he is still a starting quality player

[Lockdown504090]

they were winning before he went down, but its kinda telling that it didnt affect their team at all. They actually look better without him. I wonder if the cavs just let him walk. (referring to sexton)

love can be like tobias: a good overpaid player who acts as a leader for the younger guys. I like him in this role.

[TheLand13]

they were winning before he went down, but its kinda telling that it didnt affect their team at all. They actually look better without him. I wonder if the cavs just let him walk.

love can be like tobias: a good overpaid player who acts as a leader for the younger guys. I like him in this role.

It needs to be said that Rajon Rondo has been a decent replacement for Rubio. But I personally never thought that their success started and ended with him like a lot of people have been claiming. It has started and ended with that ridiculously good frontcourt they have, as well as the all star level season Garland has been having. I still wish Rubio was here and I don't deny his impact, but I always thought it was incredibly silly when people were claiming the Cavaliers should just try to tank after he got hurt. That is a massive and gross misunderstanding of why they've been so successful this year in the first place.

[JonFromVA]

This is how K-Love has looked when his back isn't killing him. His defense outside of taking charges is pretty bad, he's still very reliable on the boards, and when his shot is going down and he's spacing the floor he can do some serious damage.

[phanman]

Its safe to say that nobody is trading for Kevin Love and his 31.3m and 28.9m salary this deadline

Winning cures all, and the success that his veteran leadership has provided to not only the bigs but their young perimeter guys has been invaluable. He provided some great insight to his/the team's turnaround on JJ's podcast, its a really great listen.

Watch on YouTube

[TacoLord]

I can't imagine anyone would trade for him, unless they are sending a longer and/or more expensive contract(s) in return.

Love had a good run in Cleveland with Lebron. He was a good third banana when healthy, and played well enough to help them upset the best regular season team in NBA history. He may have won a second ring if Kelly Oubre didn't pull his arm out of its socket. Guy was good, not great, but filled his role admirably. No shame in that.

[JujitsuFlip]

He's been good off the bench, not only production wise but attitude wise. However, he isn't worth anywhere near $31 million. Kudos to the coaching staff and medical staff for keeping his minutes down so he can stay healthy.

[BrianInPhilly]

Love has been great this year. He's everything you want in a front court perimeter scorer. I've watched the Cavs a lot this year, and he's clearly the 4th most important piece and some nights he is more impactful than Mobley and Allen too. He also flourishes even more because his weaknesses at his age (protecting the basket, defense mainly) do not hurt the team much because he's always paired with Allen or Mobley. He's their scorer off the bench and when he's in he's actually their #1 option. Anyone who thinks the Cavs should or are looking to trade him are delusional, but I haven't heard that actually. I can't think of a better front court scorer to pair with Mobley/Allen actually outside of Max guys like Anthony Davis.

[TheLand13]

I can't imagine anyone would trade for him, unless they are sending a longer and/or more expensive contract(s) in return.

Love had a good run in Cleveland with Lebron. He was a good third banana when healthy, and played well enough to help them upset the best regular season team in NBA history. He may have won a second ring if Kelly Oubre didn't pull his arm out of its socket. Guy was good, not great, but filled his role admirably. No shame in that.

I'm not saying any team would trade for him. What I am saying is that if the possibility were there, the Cavaliers shouldn't and should just keep him, regardless of how much money he costs right now. Obviously he isn't worth the money that is being paid for him, but his role on the team is critical to the teams success.

[BrianInPhilly]

they were winning before he went down, but its kinda telling that it didnt affect their team at all. They actually look better without him. I wonder if the cavs just let him walk.

love can be like tobias: a good overpaid player who acts as a leader for the younger guys. I like him in this role.

What are you referring to?

[Pantsman]

He’s got to be 6th man of the year right? I don’t think it’s close right now. Just gotta stay healthy.

[KembaWalker]

a lot of guys can be great teammates when the team is winning
some guys can be great teammates when their team is losing. Kevin Love isn't one of those guys

[Lockdown504090]

they were winning before he went down, but its kinda telling that it didnt affect their team at all. They actually look better without him. I wonder if the cavs just let him walk.

love can be like tobias: a good overpaid player who acts as a leader for the younger guys. I like him in this role.

What are you referring to?

i forgot to say sexton. my bad.

[JujitsuFlip]

He’s got to be 6th man of the year right? I don’t think it’s close right now. Just gotta stay healthy.

I thought Rubio had a shot, before he went down. I'd say it's between Herro and Oubre currently, Love in the conversation for sure though.

[cupcakesnake]

His per minute/per possession value is right in line with anything he ever did in Minnesota. Obviously his role is quite a bit different: he gets over 60% of his offense from behind the 3-point line and picks his spots to efficiently attack inside. But a lot of the numbers are eerily similar. The man has still got it!

I think this is mostly just a guy finally being healthy and being in a good role to take advantage. Credit to him for being pretty adaptable in his career. A lot has been made of him being a malcontent the past 3 seasons... but who wouldn't be. He was constantly injured, the team was young and bad and he was playing with guards who couldn't/wouldn't pass him the ball. Now Garland is looking like Dallas Steve Nash, there was a brief reunion with Rubio, the coach is utilizing his bigs tremendously, and there are defensive bigs who mesh perfect with Love.

Garland/Mobley/Allen is my favorite young core in the league. But there's also a specialness to this team for me as a Minnesota fan. Rubio/Love ultimately disappointed in Minnesota, but it was mostly a healthy thing (well the defense wasn't awesome). Rubio/Love/Pekovic was pretty fun. Basically I'm waiting for the Cavs to sign Pek and I'll be buying Cavs merch.

[yoyoboy]

Love said this is the most fun season he's had in the league outside of the 2016 championship run. And honestly, I feel like he might just be putting that one above because he feels he has to. But more importantly than a better attitude imo, Kevin is also clearly healthier than he's been in a long time and that's playing a huge role. Not only has he missed no games due to injury, but when you see him out there, he's moving better too. Despite being years older, developing a regimen for his back has really allowed him to have a resurgence. He's no longer doing that old man walk and he's even out there taking charges and bullying smaller guys in the post and killing it on the boards. Finally, playing alongside Mobley and Allen for huge stretches so there's less pressure on him defensively and having his minutes per game lowered have really helped him as well.

On a per 36 minute basis, he's pretty close to playing like peak Minnesota Kevin Love.

2014: 25.9 points / 12.4 rebounds / 4.4 assists / 2.5 turnovers / 59.1% TS / 8.9 BPM / +5.9 On-Court

2022: 23.7 points / 12.1 rebounds / 3.6 assists / 2.2 turnovers / 61.9% TS / 7.1 BPM / +5.6 On-Court

Love ranks:

- 7th in the league in BPM (+7.1)
- 11th in the league in RAPTOR (+5.0)
- 24th in the league in EPM (+3.7)
- 26th in the league in LEBRON (+2.36)

Just nuts how big of a turnaround he's had.