The curious case of Kevin Love

[thedoper]

Love hustled tonight and it paid off. I am happy for him and happier to see him gone. Go wolves.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Anyone just see Love handle Curry on the perimeter on the defensive end?

Yeah, WTF was that?

Ha, he played Curry very well on that one...shows he might actually be able to play defense if he ever decided it was an important part of the game.

And his 3-9 shooting (36% for the series) wasn't his fault. Tyrone Lue just isn't using him correctly.

[mrhockey89]

I think that was more of a case that Love knew Curry was going to try to get open for a 3 pointer. Had Curry taken Love off the dribble and drove to the hoop he would have blown by Love. Don't get me wrong, good defense on the play nonetheless, but I think Curry was fairly predictable on what he was looking to do on that play.

[Monster]

I think that was more of a case that Love knew Curry was going to try to get open for a 3 pointer. Had Curry taken Love off the dribble and drove to the hoop he would have blown by Love. Don't get me wrong, good defense on the play nonetheless, but I think Curry was fairly predictable on what he was looking to do on that play.

That is a good point but Love was smart enough to do what he did and we have seen Curry shake much better defensive players when all he wants to do is jack up a 3 in the past. It was a smothering defense played by Love I still think it was pretty terrific. My guess is it surprised Curry somewhat. :)

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think that was more of a case that Love knew Curry was going to try to get open for a 3 pointer. Had Curry taken Love off the dribble and drove to the hoop he would have blown by Love. Don't get me wrong, good defense on the play nonetheless, but I think Curry was fairly predictable on what he was looking to do on that play.

Yeah, I watched the replay again and you are exactly right. Still, I've seen Curry shake guys for 3's one-on-one. He needs such little time to get his shot off that a well-executed cross-over that gets his defender moving just a wee bit in the opposite direction gives him enough of a window. Not on that play though.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

How many times did we see Steph Curry get Steven Adams, a respected defender, on a switch in the WCF only to put a simple cross on him going left or right and bury a three? As Q said, it doesn't take much for him to get his shot off. This is one of those plays where you have no choice but to tip your cap to Love for making him miss and move on.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I never read the original article posted until now, but it is exactly what I suspected with Love: He misses Ricky Rubio. I suppose a PG like Chris Paul would do wonders for Love in the PnR as well. But anyone that has watched the T-Wolves the last few years sees how Rubio has made Pekovic, Love, and now Towns become uber-efficient scorers with a healthy diet of PnR.

LeBron is a great passer too, but the video shows how he seems to constantly be looking for switches, whereby he gets the mismatch. It ends up in endless re-screens by the original screener. At some point in time, why even bother to rolll? Does anyone ever recall watching either James or Irving throw a pocket pass in this series? This isn't a critique of either of those guys as overall players, but more of a testament to how Rubio truly brings out the best in skilled big men.

[thedoper]

The funny thing what is happening is our older conversations about Love here are being played out in the National spotlight. He will always be a divisive player because he is so unique both in his abilities and character. Some serious talent, and some serious warts in his game and presumably in his personality. I was glad to see him have a bounce back game, fuelled by hustle that I don't remember seeing from him in a while. My main reason for wanting him to do well was I didn't want to feel dellusional for thinking he was a talented player in the past. I hope the light went off for Love last night, his role on this team has to be hustle first and things will go fine for him.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

And after all that, this happened:

http://www.theonion.com/article/cavs-teammates-sheepishly-tell-kevin-love-theyre-n-53116

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The funny thing what is happening is our older conversations about Love here are being played out in the National spotlight. He will always be a divisive player because he is so unique both in his abilities and character. Some serious talent, and some serious warts in his game and presumably in his personality. I was glad to see him have a bounce back game, fuelled by hustle that I don't remember seeing from him in a while. My main reason for wanting him to do well was I didn't want to feel dellusional for thinking he was a talented player in the past. I hope the light went off for Love last night, his role on this team has to be hustle first and things will go fine for him.

Right, but do you think that's really a role Love will embrace?

I just don't see it. I think he and his agent will encourage a move by the Cavs and I doubt the Cavs are dead set on keeping him. The issue might be whether they feel they can get something of roughly equal value in return.....It doesn't have to be 95 cents on the dollar, but it can't be 50-cents either.