Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots for three points against the Boston Celtics during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 103-95. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Love
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Overrated Since: His last season in Minnesota, when people were campaigning for him being the best power forward in the NBA
2014-15 stats: 17.5 points, 10.4 rebounds
I’m usually always torn on what to make of Kevin Love. His numbers indicated that he was the best power forward in the NBA when he was in Minnesota. However, as he struggled to find any role during his first season in Cleveland, I’m willing to bet we probably overrated him a bit.
And not because he struggled to find his role – even Chris Bosh did during the first year of the Big Three in Miami, if you remember correctly – but because he never found it. Even Bosh, towards the end of the year, found his. Love didn’t.
Love isn’t the best power forward in the NBA. It’s quite simple – he’s not a two-way player. I mean, he does run back on defense, but he doesn’t actually play on that side of the court. He’s a great shooter that also happens to be tall. That’s exactly what he is.
I expect him to be better this year than he was last year, but I don’t expect him to be a 20 and 10 guy for Cleveland. In fact, if he really wants to be impactful for Cleveland, I suspect they’ll ask him to focus more on being a catch and shoot guy rather than hanging around the basket.
Sure, he’ll get a few post ups here and there, to keep the defense honest. But he’s going to make his hay this season from the perimeter. He’s a really good player, not the great player that many were pegging him out to be once he was traded to Cleveland.
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