Who has 2 thumbs,plays in a Cavaliers jersey, is supposed to be one of the 20 best players on the planet, and has struggled mightily this season? Unless he loses a thumb,I think it's quite obvious we're talking about Kevin Love. The NBA's premier power forward has not even scratched the surface of the expectations set for him at the beginning of the season, averaging just 16.8 points per game while shooting an abysmal 42.2% from the field. What has led to this? Well, let us enter the vast world of reasons for how in the world Kevin Love's scoring somehow dropped by an average of 10 points per game.
Reason number 1: LeBron James
LeBron James has yet another great, although not spectacular , season. He has taken a lot of shots, and has made a very solid amount of them. There is only one problem; those shots have come at the expense of Kevin Love. James , instead of playing in the post as he has in recent years, has chosen to operate from the perimeter, forcing Love into the restricted area- where he is good but not great. This means that shooting- Love's greatest strength- is only utilized during pick and pops, which is not as high percentage as a normal catch and shoots. This mostly explains the decrease in points and 3 point field goal percentage, as post players are not given the ball nearly as much as perimeter oriented players.
Reason Number 2: Off Ball Play
Love is, without a doubt, much more effective with the ball in his hands, which is a luxury he has not been given this season with LeBron in town and Kyrie taking over the primary ball handling duties. According to Basketball Reference, his usage percentage is the lowest in his career aside from his rookie season, when he wasn't even starting full time. Furthermore, he has shot only 70 % as much as last season and converted on 3% less, which is horrible considering he is no longer being double teamed, is given a ton of space to shoot, and has 2 top 10 players who are among the best passers in the world on his team.
Reason Number 3: Lack of Confidence
For a guy with as many expectations as Kevin Love , this is not a surprise. It has occurred to Lance Stephenson, Roy Hibbert , Joe Johnson, and just about every player on the Lakers.What Love has been diagnosed with is a common disease called self doubt. But fear do not , Cavs fans, all Love needs to cure this disease are some touches and a night where he is utilized like he was in Minnesota once in a while. Love is just going through an adjustment period, and his contributions will grow as the season progresses. Heck, as I'm writing this he already has 30 points vs. the Lakers.
So how does Love become-well, you know-Kevin Love?
All of this is solved if Love simply gets more touches on the perimeter and continues to get the occasional post up. Being a primary offensive option once LeBron James leaves the court might help as well. Overall, I strongly believe this is only temporary, and with a great supporting cast and a coaching genius at the helm, Love will soon get back on track.
Reason number 1: LeBron James
LeBron James has yet another great, although not spectacular , season. He has taken a lot of shots, and has made a very solid amount of them. There is only one problem; those shots have come at the expense of Kevin Love. James , instead of playing in the post as he has in recent years, has chosen to operate from the perimeter, forcing Love into the restricted area- where he is good but not great. This means that shooting- Love's greatest strength- is only utilized during pick and pops, which is not as high percentage as a normal catch and shoots. This mostly explains the decrease in points and 3 point field goal percentage, as post players are not given the ball nearly as much as perimeter oriented players.
Reason Number 2: Off Ball Play
Love is, without a doubt, much more effective with the ball in his hands, which is a luxury he has not been given this season with LeBron in town and Kyrie taking over the primary ball handling duties. According to Basketball Reference, his usage percentage is the lowest in his career aside from his rookie season, when he wasn't even starting full time. Furthermore, he has shot only 70 % as much as last season and converted on 3% less, which is horrible considering he is no longer being double teamed, is given a ton of space to shoot, and has 2 top 10 players who are among the best passers in the world on his team.
Reason Number 3: Lack of Confidence
For a guy with as many expectations as Kevin Love , this is not a surprise. It has occurred to Lance Stephenson, Roy Hibbert , Joe Johnson, and just about every player on the Lakers.What Love has been diagnosed with is a common disease called self doubt. But fear do not , Cavs fans, all Love needs to cure this disease are some touches and a night where he is utilized like he was in Minnesota once in a while. Love is just going through an adjustment period, and his contributions will grow as the season progresses. Heck, as I'm writing this he already has 30 points vs. the Lakers.
So how does Love become-well, you know-Kevin Love?
All of this is solved if Love simply gets more touches on the perimeter and continues to get the occasional post up. Being a primary offensive option once LeBron James leaves the court might help as well. Overall, I strongly believe this is only temporary, and with a great supporting cast and a coaching genius at the helm, Love will soon get back on track.