By Josh Suppes ’17
Back in August 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers only had two superstars, but there were talks of another coming in the form of Kevin Love. Love was one of the best forwards in the NBA, with the ability to strech the floor and consistently shoot the three. On August 23rd, the Cavs finally acquired Love in a trade for Andrew Wiggins, the number one overall pick that year, and Anthony Bennet, the number one pick the year before. There was some backlash to the trade, as the Cavs traded their future for another superstar. Many were spectical that the new Lebron James led big three would be a failure. As the season went on, the speculation grew.
Kevin Love was struggling, as so were the Cavs. But, after Love went down in the first round of the 2014-2015 playoffs, fans saw why he was so essential to the Cavs’ plan for success. In the finals, the Cavs couldn’t match the three point shooting of the Warriors, as the Warriors rolled to a NBA championship in 6 games. Love could have left after the season, but he came back. He wanted to make another run at a championship.
This year has been different for Love. He looks diferent, especially after David Blatt’s firing, and Tyronn Lue’s appointment to head coach. Lue runs an offense that fit Love’s strengths, and Love became an entirely different player. Then the playoffs came. Kevin Love turned into a monster, to say the least. He is averaging 18.9 points per game, and 12.5 rebounds per game. In addition he is shooting 45% from the three point line and is making 3.5 threes in only 34 minutes per game. He is also shooting 8% better in the free throw line than last year’s playoffs. Kevin Love’s offensive rating (114) is higher than MVP Steph Curry’s this postseason, and is tied with Curry’s in last playoffs. Also, not known as a defensive player, Love’s defensive rating (108) ranks close with 2014-2015 defenive player of the year, Kawahi Leonard when he had a 106 rating. A closer look at the games, and you see Kevin Love hustle for rebounds and make key threes or key defensive plays down the strech. His ability to strech the floor, shoot the three at a high rate, and his high energy on rebounds is crucial for the Cavs, is why Kevin Love is underrated.