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May 7, 2018Cleveland does, in fact, deserve LeBron James: While We’re Waiting
May 7, 2018Four days ago, I wrote about how the Cleveland Cavaliers needed the All-Star, 2018 Regular Season Kevin Love to show up if they wanted to not only beat the Toronto Raptors in a best-of-seven series, but to make their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance as well. Fast forward 96 hours, and he has done just that.
After having his most efficient regular season since joining the Cavs, averaging 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range1in 28 minutes a night (58 games) during the regular season, the power forward-turned-center was somewhat nonexistent in the first eight games of the playoffs. In the seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers and first game against the Raptors, Love averaged just 10.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting just 32 percent from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc in 32.9 minutes a game.
Then Game 2 happened, and he carried that momentum into Game 3 as well. Over the past two games, Love has looked like a completely different player. The 6-foot-10, 251-pound big man has not only been much more efficient, but he has been more physical and aggressive as well. Due to that, Love has been a huge boost to the Cavs’ offense. In Games 2 and 3, he has not only averaged 26 points, 13.5 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 36.8 minutes a night, but he’s doing it much more efficiently as well. The 29-year old has shot 51 percent from the floor and 33 percent from long distance over the last two games.
Many blamed his struggles early on in the postseason on his thumb injury, which is completely understandable. The guy not only has to guard the opposition’s biggest player at times, but Love must be physical in the post, grab rebounds, and score, all while not really being able to use one of his thumbs.
LeBron James has gotten his share of well-deserved headlines this postseason. Whether it’s his two game-winners at the buzzer, somehow performing and shooting better than he ever has, or carrying a team on his back that some thought was the worst one he’s been on since 2007, No. 23’s greatness hasn’t gone unnoticed. But a smaller subplot that can turn into very good things over the next month and a half is Love’s resurgence. At least in the last two games, he’s back to playing like his normal self, one that the wine and gold were in search of earlier in the postseason.
The way Cleveland has performed when James has been resting on the bench has been one of the biggest storylines of the year. They’ve struggled for much of the time, but in this series against the Raptors, the James-less unit has held their own, which is all the No. 23 and the Cavs can ask for. Part of the reason for that is because Love has been playing like his normal, dominant self. For example, in the final four minutes of the third quarter, Love notched seven points and three rebounds with James resting on the bench. It was not only huge boost of confidence for the Cavs, but it allowed them to realize that they don’t have to have No. 23 on the court at all times in order to be successful.
“That’s the Kevin Love we know,” head coach Tyronn Lue said Saturday night following Game 3.
Part of the reason Love has returned back to his normal self over the last two games could be partially due to the Cavs going to him early and often. The big man seems to be a player that plays much better with confidence. With the wine and gold feeding him the ball early in the game and Love knocking down shots, it allows him to believe in himself for the remainder of the game. It seems to have worked, at least so far.
Somehow, James’ greatness has been unprecedented, even though he’s already in his 15th NBA season. But pair that with the way Love has been playing on both ends of the floor over the last two games and the duo are a force to be reckoned with going forward.