NBA
Kevin Love Is Ready To Be The Face Of The Cavaliers
When Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, the Cavaliers not only lost their best player. They lost their leader as well. Kevin Love, who signed a four year, $120 million contract extension this summer, now has to be the face of the Cavaliers. According to amicohoops.com, Love is now starting to establish himself as the leader of the team.
Kevin Love And The Cavaliers Go To Miami For Basketball Reasons And Bonding
Love is taking a page out of James’ book. He organized for the Cavaliers to go to Miami to work on their game for the upcoming season and to bond. The bonding started on Tuesday and they used the University of Miami practice court to put their work in.
Majority of the Cavaliers roster were there in attendance. The only players who won’t be in Miami with the team are Tristan Thompson, Cedi Osman, and Ante Zizic. They’re participating in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Expect Kevin Love To Be Close To What He Used To Be In Minnesota
When Love was traded to the Cavaliers in 2014, he was known as a guy who put up great numbers on a bad Minnesota Timberwolves team. Playing alongside James has helped him become the leader the Cavaliers need moving forward. He’s primed to be a much better player this time as the number one option.
Stars like James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and others all had to learn how to play winning basketball. Love had to learn the same thing when he left Minnesota. So from a mental standpoint, he should be prepared to lead the Cavaliers this season and beyond. If he can stay healthy, he possibly can return to all star status and increase his value in the league.
In his final season with the Timberwolves (2013-14), Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. He’s definitely capable of posting numbers close to that that season. With James and Irving gone, Love won’t have to be a a stretch four and a guy who defers anymore.
Can Love Guide The Cavaliers To The Playoffs In A Wide Open Eastern Conference?
No doubt, Love likely will face double teams, especially when he has it going offensively. However, it shouldn’t be a problem. He can still get down low in the paint and score. He’ll have his chance to show everyone he still has plenty left in the tank.
The question is this- Can Love guide the Cavaliers to a playoff spot in the wide open Eastern Conference? At the moment, the odds aren’t looking promising, but don’t rule it out. Love will have to be the guy from his Timberwolves days to accelerate the Cavaliers rebuilding process and make the playoffs this season. He has a chip on his shoulder, so expect him to remind the NBA world that he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Photo Credit
Keith Allison via Flickr
