Kevin Love - Miami Ground Machine

[Heat Check]

He played pretty well last night, but disappeared and got passive further into the game, taking a Dean Wade-esque five shots in 22 mins. We definitely can't afford for Love to get passive on offense. We need him to remain an active 3 point threat.

He didn't have any looks. Miami had a guy inside his jersey all the time because they knew what can happen when Love heats up.

We're not a team that tries to create perimeter looks for its best shooters. If the other team makes the faintest effort to take away the outside shot, we shrug and start forcing the ball inside.

 

[cavsfever]

In fairness. it's difficult for Love to get open without either designed plays or Garland prioritizing him. Especially against a fierce defensive team like Miami. The only alternative is one of his post ups and that's not going to work against Adebayo.

Maybe not a great game from him exactly but he pulled out a lot of his crafty old man tricks, I enjoyed watching them.

 

[Heat Check]

In fairness. it's difficult for Love to get open without either designed plays or Garland prioritizing him. .

Exactly... and we don't do any of that. It's not just Love either. All the perimeter looks we get seem pretty much random. Miami, on the other hand, was deliberately hunting for them. Getting Strus, Herro and Robinson open is a big part of their game plan.

The Heat were running those guys through staggered screens, which was hell for our backcourt defenders.

 

[stick]

Love is playing the lowest minutes per game in his career this year. The role he's in and better luck has contributed to him being available the majority of the season (aside from Covid).

Advanced stats wise (via bball-reference), this is his best year since 2013-2014. Second best DBPM of his career (no doubt the team's defense contributes to that and his ability for securing boards).

At times his defense (conserving energy, not rotating) makes me face palm, but he's been a key for the overall season the Cavs are having.

And now he's dunking!?

 

[PIP]

 

[Cavatt]

He didn't have any looks. Miami had a guy inside his jersey all the time because they knew what can happen when Love heats up.

We're not a team that tries to create perimeter looks for its best shooters. If the other team makes the faintest effort to take away the outside shot, we shrug and start forcing the ball inside.

The drive and kick is basically non-existent without Sexton. A little from Okoro.

Garland can do pick and pop, but he rarely kicks it to the 3pt line.

I really want Mobley to get it to shooters more as well.

Rubio was ok at it, but still not very good.

 

[PIP]

 

[buzzdog]

What did Love do last night to get that? Seemed like one of his more "normal" games to me, nothing outstanding.

 

[BankShot]

What did Love do last night to get that? Seemed like one of his more "normal" games to me, nothing outstanding.

He grabbed some tough rebounds, took another charge, but best of all, his 9 fg attempts were all from 3, none of those awful back down a defender into the post attempts.

 

[Alec]

Kevin doesn't have to enjoy winning regular season games as much as he does, given his accomplishments and veteran status. He's the lead sideline cheerleader for sure and for this I'm grateful. Thanks Kevin!

 

[AllforOne]

Kevin doesn't have to enjoy winning regular season games as much as he does, given his accomplishments and veteran status. He's the lead sideline cheerleader for sure and for this I'm grateful. Thanks Kevin!

He appears to be having more fun this year than ever, and that might include 2016. It’s fun to see. Props to him for embracing his new role this season and doing it with gusto.

 

[Jontibs]

Feel like he is being a bit more selective in his shot taking now and we are seeing an uptick in his 3 ball %. There was a period during the injuries when he was firing away at the slightest glimpse and his efficiency had dropped off. LeVert back takes some of the scoring pressure off of Love and he can be more patient, which, fingers crossed, heading into the playoffs gives the Cavs a more effective second unit.

That period with Rubio, Love and Cedi hitting was pure joy but the chemistry of Rubio and Love is hard to find elsewhere and Cedi is streaky, but better signs recently.

 

[jjvors]

I posted this post-game interview in the game thread, but this forum might like it too.

 

[jjvors]

Here's a highlight video from the 3rd quarter where Love and Cedi brought us back into the lead.

- YouTube

Užívejte si videa a hudbu, kterou máte rádi, nahrávejte originální obsah a sdílejte vše s přáteli, rodinou i celým světem na YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[KevinLoveFan]

Looks like I'll have to apologize for my username again after tonight.