Kevin Love - Miami Ground Machine

[Marcus]

I said this on the other thread and im going to say it again even if I get ripped on here. I don’t think the starting lineup is going to work unless Waiters goes to the bench. Its pre season and Love already is complaining about lack of touches. There is only 1 ball to go around and not everybody on the starting squad can take 20 shots a game. The problem is while Dion is taking these fade-away 2 point jumpers he is turning Love into a 16 million/fancier version of spencer hawes (just standing on the 3 pt line and getting boards). Kyrie and LBJ are going to be taking as many shots as they like and Im cool with that they are good enuff to win us a championship.
The heat got it right by starting chalmers and battier so the big 3 didn’t step on each others toes. I just don’t see any scenario where there is enuff shots for Love to be effective with Waiters shooting 10-15 times a game. We would have been better off keeping our old squad with wiggins starting and moving waiters to the bench and he can be his own version of jr smith or kobe or whoever he wants to be. We could of re-signed Hawes/ or jack and kept wiggins and Bennett giving us the deepest bench in the league instead of paying love 16 million to shoot 3 pointers. We would have had 3 first rounders next year too to possibly make even a bigger splash.

This entire post reeks of being misinformed and just plain suck.

Yup, let's keep the raw rookie and the underwhelming Bennett and hope they grow quickly enough for championship contention within LeBron's window, instead of getting the league's top PF.

 

[oracio]

I said this on the other thread and im going to say it again even if I get ripped on here. I don’t think the starting lineup is going to work unless Waiters goes to the bench. Its pre season and Love already is complaining about lack of touches. There is only 1 ball to go around and not everybody on the starting squad can take 20 shots a game. The problem is while Dion is taking these fade-away 2 point jumpers he is turning Love into a 16 million/fancier version of spencer hawes (just standing on the 3 pt line and getting boards). Kyrie and LBJ are going to be taking as many shots as they like and Im cool with that they are good enuff to win us a championship.
The heat got it right by starting chalmers and battier so the big 3 didn’t step on each others toes. I just don’t see any scenario where there is enuff shots for Love to be effective with Waiters shooting 10-15 times a game. We would have been better off keeping our old squad with wiggins starting and moving waiters to the bench and he can be his own version of jr smith or kobe or whoever he wants to be. We could of re-signed Hawes/ or jack and kept wiggins and Bennett giving us the deepest bench in the league instead of paying love 16 million to shoot 3 pointers. We would have had 3 first rounders next year too to possibly make even a bigger splash.

too many conclusions, too little games played. It's only preseason.
You have here a "good problem" - a lot of talent in one team.
Of course there will be hiccups, but what you have here are not only talented players but a very good coaching stuff, and basically two great coaches - the head coach David Blatt and the floor coach - LeBron James.
You can read in Love's article how important it is to be in a healthy environment with role models and experienced players.
The roster that you described here are so young and inexperienced it will take ages until you will see the fruits of their work, if at all.
Love is a mature player, a very talented player, a very smart player in a good system with very good coach and with the best player in the world as his teammates.
And regarding Dion, you put too much emphasize there, again - it is a low sample size from preseason games, and you need to come with a fresh outlook - Blatt is a players' coach and a system coach, this is something Dion never had, and I'm sure you will see a different player. Just give it time, sit back and enjoy the ride...

 

[Jack Brickman]

I wish I could rate a post with both Dumb and Bad Spelling.

 

[MirORich]

I said this on the other thread and im going to say it again even if I get ripped on here. I don’t think the starting lineup is going to work unless Waiters goes to the bench. Its pre season and Love already is complaining about lack of touches. There is only 1 ball to go around and not everybody on the starting squad can take 20 shots a game. The problem is while Dion is taking these fade-away 2 point jumpers he is turning Love into a 16 million/fancier version of spencer hawes (just standing on the 3 pt line and getting boards). Kyrie and LBJ are going to be taking as many shots as they like and Im cool with that they are good enuff to win us a championship.
The heat got it right by starting chalmers and battier so the big 3 didn’t step on each others toes. I just don’t see any scenario where there is enuff shots for Love to be effective with Waiters shooting 10-15 times a game. We would have been better off keeping our old squad with wiggins starting and moving waiters to the bench and he can be his own version of jr smith or kobe or whoever he wants to be. We could of re-signed Hawes/ or jack and kept wiggins and Bennett giving us the deepest bench in the league instead of paying love 16 million to shoot 3 pointers. We would have had 3 first rounders next year too to possibly make even a bigger splash.

It you think Love was "complaining" about touches than you either didn't read the source article or you did and just have zero reading comprehension skills. Try reading that article again, word for word, without applying your already formed biases

 

[Cavsfan161]

Nice article not doubt non Cavs fans disagree.

 

[CavsFan005]

This entire post reeks of being misinformed and just plain suck.

Yup, let's keep the raw rookie and the underwhelming Bennett and hope they grow quickly enough for championship contention within LeBron's window, instead of getting the league's top PF.

Is it though? Lets bump this thread 20 games into the season and then see if it sounds dumb. Blatt and Love have already hinted at it and the regular season hasn't even started yet

 

[Marcus]

Is it though? Lets bump this thread 20 games into the season and then see if it sounds dumb. Blatt and Love have already hinted at it and the regular season hasn't even started yet

Yes, overwhelmingly positive that it is. And it still boggles my mind that people even still debate making that trade. A vocal minority that won't be anywhere to be found (or will have curiously changed sides) when this team waltzes into a top seed.

 

[CavsFan005]

It you think Love was "complaining" about touches than you either didn't read the source article or you did and just have zero reading comprehension skills. Try reading that article again, word for word, without applying your already formed biases

I read it. If u read between the lines I think he wants more shots. Just from a few pre season games I can tell hes going to be the odd man out. Bosh had to change his game even with just a big 3 and no role players that were capable of big scoring nights. Kyrie is the pg and he wont be handling less. Lebron won't take less shots and shouldn't. Move Waiters to the bench or he is going to be a 16 million 3 point shooter out there.

 

[MirORich]

I read it. If u read between the lines I think he wants more shots. Just from a few pre season games I can tell hes going to be the odd man out. Bosh had to change his game even with just a big 3 and no role players that were capable of big scoring nights. Kyrie is the pg and he wont be handling less. Lebron won't take less shots and shouldn't. Move Waiters to the bench or he is going to be a 16 million 3 point shooter out there.

Love was not complaining about touches or number of shots at all. What he was saying, and it was in the context of talking about why his 3P shot has been off the past few games, is that to get in a rhythm, he has traditionally started inside with a few shots to get going into the flow of the game and then that opens up his confidence and feel for his three point shot. The discussion was not about him getting enough shots but rather just making sure he works on all spots on the floor. Down low, in the lane, mid post, AND at the 3P line. These are basic adjustments anytime you go to a new team and a new system. Not only that, he wasn't implying that the staff is ONLY asking him to be near the 3P line, he was saying, that he himself has to remember to operate down low to get those touches in prime interior space. Only people that want things to be rocky and not work out are the ones reading that article and thinking the Love was "complaining"

Furthermore, all of this is happening in the context of a 7 game preseason. Love and most of the Cavs starters have barely played in the 4th qtr of most games. Love has missed a game or two and LeBron(who excels at making sure guys get shots where they want them) sat out two of those games. You really have to have a bias at wanting this to be an issue to believe what you're implying.

Is it though? Lets bump this thread 20 games into the season and then see if it sounds dumb. Blatt and Love have already hinted at it and the regular season hasn't even started yet

As he spelled it out in his essay today on the new Jeter website, he'll sweep the floor with the broom if that's what leads to us winning a championship. So again, will it take some time for the whole team(10 new players) to adjust to the entirely new coaching staff and system? Naturally. Is there some sort of rift or issue already in play or likely in play? Not at all.

 

[MoFlo]

In no world would it have been a good idea to keep the raw rookie & underperforming 2nd year player over a perennial all-star PF, especially when you're contending for a title right now.

You don't hope Bennett figures it out & Wiggins lives up to his potential when you can get a perennial all-star for them.

It'll take some time to get acclimated, but you make adjustments, continue to grow as a team, and figure it out. These are guys who know what they're doing, have been in the league, and are all-star, all-NBA type talents. They'll win even if they don't make the adjustments. They'll be absolutely scary when they figure it out & put the adjustments to use.

I still do that deal 100 times out of 100.

 

[Soda Popinski]

In no world would it have been a good idea to keep the raw rookie & underperforming 2nd year player over a perennial all-star PF, especially when you're contending for a title right now.

You don't hope Bennett figures it out & Wiggins lives up to his potential when you can get a perennial all-star for them.

It'll take some time to get acclimated, but you make adjustments, continue to grow as a team, and figure it out. These are guys who know what they're doing, have been in the league, and are all-star, all-NBA type talents. They'll win even if they don't make the adjustments. They'll be absolutely scary when they figure it out & put the adjustments to use.

I still do that deal 100 times out of 100.

The only time I wouldn't do the trade as it stood would be the one time out of 100 that you could get Flip drunk and work the trade without Wiggins in it

 

[ice cream man]

If this team fails to reach it's ultimate goal, it's going to be because Kyrie and/or Dion don't grow up. Kyrie still doesn't like to pass the ball and Dion still likes to initiate the offense. They have to grow out of that. Kevin Love does need more inside touches. Granted, Memphis and Chicago are two teams where he doesn't have a great advantage inside. All of his 3 point shots are when he's backing up; those are not good shots. Our offense has not been playing inside out. Hopefully that will change. You would think at least one of LeBron/Love will have a post-up advantage every game.

 

[Cavatt]

It seems like both Kyrie and Dion get the ball to the strong side big much better which is usually Tristan or Andy. They are used to dropping off to Guys as they are headed to the cup. Getting it to Kevin on the block further from the basket seems like it's not natural for them. I don't know why exactly. Kyrie used to do it for Jamison

 

[MoFlo]

It seems like the biggest adjustment that Dion & Kyrie need to make is when it comes to them initiating the offense & not being able to beat their guy off the dribble right off the bat.

That's when it seems like the ball sticks and Kyrie get tunnel vision/Dion forces something.

Other than that, both seem perfectly willing to move the ball, make the extra pass, and drive & dish.

Between Blatt, LeBron, the vets, and Love himself, I fully expect them to make the necessary adjustments and get Love involved the way he should be.

 

[DatDudeZ3]

If this team fails to reach it's ultimate goal, it's going to be because Kyrie and/or Dion don't grow up. Kyrie still doesn't like to pass the ball and Dion still likes to initiate the offense. They have to grow out of that. Kevin Love does need more inside touches. Granted, Memphis and Chicago are two teams where he doesn't have a great advantage inside. All of his 3 point shots are when he's backing up; those are not good shots. Our offense has not been playing inside out. Hopefully that will change. You would think at least one of LeBron/Love will have a post-up advantage every game.

Absolutely terrible post "ice cream man". Disagree w/ about everything in your post. And I would say our offense has played just fine if you ask me, averaged well over 100 points a game, and this is only the first month of the season. Imagine when the rest of the offense is incorporated and our guys get comfortable w/ one another.