Kevin Love - Miami Ground Machine

[buzzdog]

Here we go again...

 

[Just Checkin]

Love is shooting way too many threes now but at this point he really isn't being guarded from the line right now for the most part. He definitely needs to get back at shooting respectable percentages since the spacing is just off when he can't provide it and that just makes Kyrie and LeBron look worse.

I don't think he's getting enough credit for doing the other things (rebounding, scoring inside) though. And how he is the scapegoat for the team-wide issue (defense) I don't really understand.

Love has to shoot the ball better for sure though, but I don't know how the whole team just can't shoot anymore give or take some otherworldly performance once in a while

 

[Otsego Mar]

Like I said in the game thread, I think Griffin should seriously start considering trading Love if he has a chronic back condition he is trying to hide, because sometimes he looks somewhat mobile but than he moves like that 38 year old guy at the park with two bad knees and a bad back...

If we're building a team to beat the Warriors we all know Love is pretty much useless against them anyway so at least considering it and looking at offers should be on the table, If we can somehow find a deal that gives us a stretch 4 that can actually play some defense and move around contesting shots, a rim protector, a wing defender and another playmaker I think this type of a deal would make us a much better team than we are now.

Saying "we won the championship so there's no reason to change anything" is the wrong approach imo, because we didn't won that series vs the Warriors thanks to Love we won despite of him being horrendous 5 out 6 games in that series, the series really changed in the Cav's favor when Love got hurt, that's when we had our absolute best game against the Warriors and destroyed them, it was because we finally had a lineup that was able to defend and switch everything and that is impossible to do with Love playing as his defense is laughable, I think Love maybe has an OK match up vs the Spurs but a giant Liability vs GS because he can't defend the way they play and they always easily shut him down on offense.

A chronic back issue is no joke and we all see how bad he's been moving around when his back is acting up, and that seems to happen way to often unfortunately. Love is also not actually better this season than his first two years here, His % are almost identical across the board the only difference is he's getting 3 more shots per game, every year here he started off hot and than his percentages drop substantially as the years goes on, kinda like his scoring he always scores well in the 1stQ or 1st half but than his percentages drop to 29% in the 4thQ.

I don't care if he is playing drunk - I'm not trading 22/16/6 for anything.

Stop.

 

[gourimoko]

I think he's clearly playing through injury... I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Pioneer10]

Love isn't the problem with this team: he was playing great - got sick and probably tried to get back soon causing some wear and tear injuries. He'll be fine just like Kyrie was going to be fine giving him time to heal from his hamstring.

What won't be fine is the lack of defense, the lack of backup big, lack of backup pg: these things are starting to hurt this team and were obvious needs from the beginning of the season.

 

[CommD]

With James throwing a hissy fit to cover his own shortcomings, Cavs having limited options to address real team weaknesses, and Anthony's situation in NY, Love should consider himself on notice.

Shit could happen.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

With James throwing a hissy fit to cover his own shortcomings, Cavs having limited options to address real team weaknesses, and Anthony's situation in NY, Love should consider himself on notice.

Shit could happen.

If that happens congrats @ACisKING on the steal of the century

 

[Derek]

With James throwing a hissy fit to cover his own shortcomings, Cavs having limited options to address real team weaknesses, and Anthony's situation in NY, Love should consider himself on notice.

Shit could happen.

What a hilariously awful move that would be


Edited to add: Also funny that the guy puts up a 22-16-6 night with solid efficiency, and is "on notice"

 

[Pioneer10]

An Anthony for Love swap would be stupid: you lose on age, contract, rebounding, and as maligned as Love is even defense with Anthony.

I seriously doubt even Lebron wants Melo: he's clearly wants another ball handler so he can play off the ball (Anthony doesn't bring that to the table either)

 

[CommD]

This is LeBron James' world; you'all and Kevin Love just trying to get a nut.

 

[Jordan]

I think he's clearly playing through injury... I wouldn't worry about it.

These are my thoughts... If a guy like Butler or George becomes available, then you consider moving Love. But right now? Nah man. Love is clearly injured (has been since the "food poisoning") and it is effecting his play. He'll get back to early-season Love soon enough. Not worried.

 

[ACisKING]

If that happens congrats @ACisKING on the steal of the century

I'd love that deal for the Knicks. Makes us younger and he would fit in nicely with Porzingis (provided we can find some way to get rid of Noah). Carmelo is hardly a solution to your problems though I think he'd be a lot better against GSW specifically than Love would. He could at least guard Durant (his defensive woes are greatly exaggerated). And he isnt going to cower in big game moments either. But although he is a capable passer, he is a total ball stopper at times. And you would really be selling out for this year and maybe next year at the most.

I want to reiterate though that I don't remotely think LeBron is pushing to trade Love for Anthony. In fact he mentioned that he, Kyrie, and Love have a huge burden on them because the team is top heavy. Replacing Love with Melo leaves the team just as top heavy.

 

[Derek]

I'd love that deal for the Knicks. Makes us younger and he would fit in nicely with Porzingis (provided we can find some way to get rid of Noah). Carmelo is hardly a solution to your problems though I think he'd be a lot better against GSW specifically than Love would. He could at least guard Durant (his defensive woes are greatly exaggerated). And he isnt going to cower in big game moments either. But although he is a capable passer, he is a total ball stopper at times. And you would really be selling out for this year and maybe next year at the most.

I want to reiterate though that I don't remotely think LeBron is pushing to trade Love for Anthony. In fact he mentioned that he, Kyrie, and Love have a huge burden on them because the team is top heavy. Replacing Love with Melo leaves the team just as top heavy.

Exactly. Every quote I've seen makes it seem like LeBron is pissed at everybody except Kevin and Kyrie.

 

[Nphan]

Love is just a waste of space out there. He has regressed to rookie level only rebounding and missing wide open 3.

































Bird.

 

[Ohio]

Exactly. Every quote I've seen makes it seem like LeBron is pissed at everybody except Kevin and Kyrie.

Yeah, he pretty much put the entire organization on blast last night except The Big 3 and Lue.