To quote LeBron "It's we first. Then we. Then we. Then we. Then we. Then we. And then me."
Kevin Love played his part for the team tonight and he knows/should know it. He's not always going to get 20 and 10 - he's not in Minny anymore and a lot of you need to stop treating him like he is. When his number is called, he'll be ready like he is when he gets off to his lightning quick shooting first quarters. But he doesn't need to sustain this level of intensity for 4 quarters.
People forget that this is a team game. Love getting hot and getting shots off in the first not only keeps him active early, but diverts attention to himself to allow the other guys (see the Dion's and Miller's of the world) to get involved in the game to make an impact. His presence on the floor and his vast offensive arsenal makes him a constant threat, and from a coach's perspective, this can be utilized to create space for other players in the following 3 quarters, even if it means Love has to get 3-4 shots off for the rest of the game, not giving him an opportunity to have a big scoring night.
I'm not saying that's what should happen every night, but on a night like tonight when Andy is shooting the ball well from inside and mid-range, Dion is dropping 21, Marion is finding his shooting rhythm off the bench and LeBron and Kyrie are shooting lights out, it's okay if he's not putting up monster numbers.
Somebody has to miss out each game for the betterment of the team and tonight that was him (if you can even call it missing out - just trying to work a point). It's more likely he comes out next game and drops 10-12 in the first than not getting ashot off at all and struggling in all areas of the game.
Tonight, Love found other ways to affect the game, and this resulted in a Cavs win, good work from the bench, a good output from Kyrie and LeBron and Dion's best game.
I know what I'd prefer if I was him and you gave me the choice...
