Kevin Love isn't special anymore

[IDreamCeltics]

What a difference a few seasons make.  Three years ago, when Kevin Love forced his way out of Minnesota, his combination of youth, scoring ability, and rebounding made him THE premier stretch 4 in the NBA.  Some people were even calling him a top 10 player. Now with the glut of young forward/centers Love probably isn't even a top 10 forward in the NBA.

My current 10 most valuable forwards:

1.  Anthony Davis
2.  Karl Anthony-Townes
3.  Kristaps Porzingas
4.  Draymond Green
5.  Chris Bosh
6.  Boogie Cousins
7.  Blake
8.  Paul George
9.  Melo
10.Dirk

[Csfan1984]

Wouldn't be my list but I agree Love isn't as great a player as once believed to be. I'd still put him top 10 PFs and like him more than Bosh and Dirk.

[greenrunsdeep41]

What a difference a few seasons make.  Three years ago, when Kevin Love forced his way out of Minnesota, his combination of youth, scoring ability, and rebounding made him THE premier stretch 4 in the NBA.  Some people were even calling him a top 10 player. Now with the glut of young forward/centers Love probably isn't even a top 10 forward in the NBA.

My current 10 most valuable forwards:

1.  Anthony Davis
2.  Karl Anthony-Townes
3.  Kristaps Porzingas
4.  Draymond Green
5.  Chris Bosh
6.  Boogie Cousins
7.  Blake
8.  Paul George
9.  Melo
10.Dirk

Feel like you may have forgotten one, Kevin Durant.

[aingeforthree]

What a difference a few seasons make.  Three years ago, when Kevin Love forced his way out of Minnesota, his combination of youth, scoring ability, and rebounding made him THE premier stretch 4 in the NBA.  Some people were even calling him a top 10 player. Now with the glut of young forward/centers Love probably isn't even a top 10 forward in the NBA.

My current 10 most valuable forwards:

1.  Anthony Davis
2.  Karl Anthony-Townes
3.  Kristaps Porzingas
4.  Draymond Green
5.  Chris Bosh
6.  Boogie Cousins
7.  Blake
8.  Paul George
9.  Melo
10.Dirk

Kevin Love used properly makes that top 5, easily. Brad Stevens isn't waisting this talent. He's giving him 20/12 in this system no question.

[KeepRondo]

What a difference a few seasons make.  Three years ago, when Kevin Love forced his way out of Minnesota, his combination of youth, scoring ability, and rebounding made him THE premier stretch 4 in the NBA.  Some people were even calling him a top 10 player. Now with the glut of young forward/centers Love probably isn't even a top 10 forward in the NBA.

My current 10 most valuable forwards:

1.  Anthony Davis
2.  Karl Anthony-Townes
3.  Kristaps Porzingas
4.  Draymond Green
5.  Chris Bosh
6.  Boogie Cousins
7.  Blake
8.  Paul George
9.  Melo
10.Dirk

Kevin Love used properly makes that top 5, easily. Brad Stevens isn't waisting this talent. He's giving him 20/12 in this system no question.

I wouldn't be surprised if Love scored 24 plus for the Cs.

[MasterEmile]

His position is power forward (not fair to compare him to small forwards),  so top 5 power forwards:
1- Anthony Davis
2- Blake Griffin
3- Karl Anthony Towns (unreal potential)
4- LaMarcus Aldridge
5- Kevin Love

So he's still top five in his position, plus he's the best rebounder in the bunch,  best passer, best shooter and arguably the best scorer. The guy just needs a system that doesn't use him as Ryan Anderson.

[Jon]

Well, if Love takes a Brooklyn pick, I'd much rather go for Horford or Howard without giving up the pick. I think he's better than both, but not by as much as Cleveland would like to believe in a trade.

[Sketch5]

When you play with Lebron and Irving, with a coach who doesn't understand the personal, or players respect, you wont look good. Every ones numbers are down on that team, well maybe not every one, but Lebron and Irvings are at least. He looked good that first quarter against the C's when they ran the offense threw him. Then they went away from that and Boston made their run.

If you get him for Lee, filler and a couple draft picks,(hopefully not all the Nets picks), you do that. He's a systems guy, that would fit Stevens style of play. His outlet passing alone is valuable.

 

[GreenFaith1819]

Yes he is.

I'd place him among the top 3 or 4 PF's in the league, and in my top 10-12 players in the league.

Not his fault if Lebron/Kyrie/Coach Blatt/Coach Lue - haven't figured out how to use him.

If Danny/CBS gets THEIR hands on him, he'll explode. I truly believe that.

[Roy H.]

Well, if Love takes a Brooklyn pick, I'd much rather go for Horford or Howard without giving up the pick. I think he's better than both, but not by as much as Cleveland would like to believe in a trade.

Accounting for defense and versatility, I'd take Horford straight up over Love.

[Roy H.]

Yes he is.

I'd place him among the top 3 or 4 PF's in the league, and in my top 10-12 players in the league.

Not his fault if Lebron/Kyrie/Coach Blatt/Coach Lue - haven't figured out how to use him.

If Danny/CBS gets THEIR hands on him, he'll explode. I truly believe that.

Is there any way to hide him covering the P&R? His defense is atrocious.

[Evantime34]

Love is taking a back seat role so that he can be on a winning team. The Cavs need love to space the floor which has caused him to play more at the 3 point line and less around the rim. This makes him a lot less effective as both a scorer and a rebounder.

It's very unlikely that Love has become a worse player and a lot more likely that the fit on the Cavs has caused him to underperform because they aren't playing to his strengths.

[Larry for 3]

Well, if Love takes a Brooklyn pick, I'd much rather go for Horford or Howard without giving up the pick. I think he's better than both, but not by as much as Cleveland would like to believe in a trade.

Accounting for defense and versatility, I'd take Horford straight up over Love.

Except Horford is 30 and probably wants a max deal and is no way worth that $, and Love is younger and already signed, big difference there.

[GreenFaith1819]

Yes he is.

I'd place him among the top 3 or 4 PF's in the league, and in my top 10-12 players in the league.

Not his fault if Lebron/Kyrie/Coach Blatt/Coach Lue - haven't figured out how to use him.

If Danny/CBS gets THEIR hands on him, he'll explode. I truly believe that.

Is there any way to hide him covering the P&R? His defense is atrocious.

True, I agree with you about his defense.

But I think he's willing to get better in that area AND CBS would help him get there.

[Larry for 3]

Well, if Love takes a Brooklyn pick, I'd much rather go for Horford or Howard without giving up the pick. I think he's better than both, but not by as much as Cleveland would like to believe in a trade.

Accounting for defense and versatility, I'd take Horford straight up over Love.

Except Horford is 30 and probably wants a max deal and is no way worth that $, and Love is younger and already signed, big difference there.

And in my opinion Love in Brad Stevens's system would flourish again, like he did in Minnesota. Smart coaches know how to use players.