Waiting For Love?
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 7:46 PM EST
Email
Print
Everybody is talking about Dwight and CP3 as the prizes of the 2012 free agent class, but where is the love for Love?
I like any Wizards fan can dream of the alley oops that John Wall could lob to Dwight Howard, but nobody is talking about a guy that makes perfect sense for a team with John Wall at the point and JaVale McGee at center. That restricted free agent after this season is Kevin Love.
To me Kevin Love's game of rebounding and pick 'n pop abilities is the missing piece to the Wizards roster as I currently see it. Howard would be great, but he's not coming here unless John Wall morphs into an Iverson/Nash clone and Andray Blatche becomes Karl Malone, but I think there's a chance with Love...after all his father did play for the Bullets (the Baltimore Bullets), if that's worth anything?
What Love would bring to the Wizards is inside strength and when you look around the East, the talent primarily is on the wings: Miami has Wade, LeBron and Bosh, but struggled with no center, Kevin Garnett is aging in Boston, and it wasn't until the Knicks traded for Chandler that they had a PF-C combo that was intimidating, and we're yet to see how that's going to work. My point being that a combo of Love and McGee inside, with Wall at the point would be a very difficult matchup for any team to guard with Wall's speed, Love's rebounding, and McGee's shot blocking.
Love won't turn 24 until September of next year, McGee will be 24 in January, and Wall just turned 21. Perhaps Chris Singleton turns into a player somewhere between Wilson Chandler and Tony Allen that can solidify the SF. Maybe Jordan Crawford turns into a solid starting point guard somewhere between OJ Mayo and Jamal Crawford. Mix in a top 10 pick in the draft and the Wizards are off and competing for the East for the next 5-7 years.
I can see it now, "2012 the Summer of Love".
This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.
36 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Not a big fan a Love
No post game, and a terrible defender. He’s basically a jumpshooting big man. And he gets so much credit for his rebounding, but it doesn’t really have a positive effect on his team. I think he’s more of a 6th man on a championship team.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
by DMVLeGenD on Dec 13, 2011 8:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
Love is going to get a max contract from someone and it’s going to kill that team. He isn’t someone that can be the best player on a championship team, he’s nowhere near a complete player, and one of his best offensive skills, 3s, takes away from what he does best, rebounds
Yeah...
It’s an absolute WASTE to have Love shooting 3-pointers at a rate of three per game – especially since he only shoots 42% FROM THREE and it takes away from his rebounding to the point that he can only grab 15 REBOUNDS PER GAME !!!!!
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Dec 13, 2011 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The very inefficient Beasly, offensive non factor Milicic, rookie Johnson the atrociously playing Flynn (what happened to that kid anyway?!) and a pathetic second unit
are the reasons the Wolves were losing so much. Not Love imho.
I do think that Love would be best suited with a big, strong low post presence like Kanter but unfortunately for them Kahn wasn’t in the position to draft him. Wait….what??!
McGee is not an ideal fit for Love imho.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 5:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
McGee is not an ideal fit for Love imho.
Certainly not the 7’1" Point Guard Javale McGee…. Not the McGee that goes after every block, leaving his defensive position to do so… Not the JaVale McGee that loses concentration on defense and has mental lapses. Not the McGee that can’t hold his position in the low block….
But perhaps the McGee we saw at the end of last year… The McGee that promises this year to be more defense oriented…. and “says” he’ll curbe his Point Guard urges….
Maybe THAT McGee would be a good fit with Love.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
In fairness
Is there anybody who could be awesome next to that description of McGee? I mean, you just identified the jobs of a big man in the NBA and said McGee didn’t do them. Not saying it’s inaccurate, just that impossible standard for 99% of NBA players to meet.
No...
what I actually said is that if McGee concentrates on defense first… defensive rebounding second… defense third…. defensive rebounding fourth…. defense fifth, and defensive rebounding sixth…. defense seventh… and defensive rebounding eighth – - – - – meanwhile keeping jump shots, fast break dunks, dribbling, highlight blocks, and the rest of his “style” stuff at the far, far, far end of the list…. THAT would be the kind of player that would be ideal next to Kevin Love….
We saw the briefest glimpse of that Javale McGee at the end of last year… where he concentrated more on the defensive side of the court – rebounded the basketball well – made many fewer mistakes – listened to the Coaches – grabbed rebounds with TWO hands…. stayed down on pump fakes…. held his ground in the post…. etc… I KNOW he can be a defensive force… I’ve seen him do it… The question is whether the lure of the bright “Sports Center Highlight” lights will derail his development into a premier defender and elite rebounder.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I'm not saying that he's not very proficient at those things
He is. He is the best rebounder in the game and one of the best from outside the arc especially for his size. My knock on the completeness of his game was geared more towards his lack of postgame and D like DMV said.
The other point I was trying to make is that his best skills aren’t complimentary. While it has no effect on his defensive rebounding, I don’t want the best offensive rebounder on my team hanging around the 3 point line. He clearly produces very well but I think he has an odd collection of skills especially considering the money he will be making soon.
He has no post offense or post D, agreed but he could be a very good complimentary player to
a center who does (which we don’t have) He is a reasonable pick and roll defender and offensively he sets solid screens and has the range to pop out or roll to the basket. Rubio is a good passer so that might be one of their chemistry anchors.
Also, his defensive rebounding would help us get out in transition…you know, the one thing we currently lack severely in order to play the fastbreak style we want to play. SOMEONE HAS TO REBOUND THE BASKETBAL FIRST!!! (ahh, I hope Flip is screaming this as loud in trainingcamp right now as I did at my computer screen last year). As for the offensive rebounding, the baseline lingering center should go for the tip-ins and a cutting SF or guard could come souring in as well. We were among the top offensive rebounding teams last year, so Im not so worried about that as I am about Drebouding.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
And Love is known to have a great passing skill
OMG I CAN JUST IMAGINE HIM GETTING THE DEFENSIVE REBOUND AND PUSHING IT TO WALL FOR AN ALLEY OOP TO MCGEEEEEE
by Young Wook Lee on Dec 14, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
He has no post offense or post D, agreed but he could be a very good complimentary player to
a center who does (which we don’t have) He is a reasonable pick and roll defender and offensively he sets solid screens and has the range to pop out or roll to the basket. Rubio is a good passer so that might be one of their chemistry anchors.
Also, his defensive rebounding would help us get out in transition…you know, the one thing we currently lack severely in order to play the fastbreak style we want to play. SOMEONE HAS TO REBOUND THE BASKETBAL FIRST!!! (ahh, I hope Flip is screaming this as loud in trainingcamp right now as I did at my computer screen last year). As for the offensive rebounding, the baseline lingering center should go for the tip-ins and a cutting SF or guard could come souring in as well. We were among the top offensive rebounding teams last year, so Im not so worried about that as I am about Drebouding.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
Dray has torched him several times
I dont know what to make of the rebounding. The Wolves are a great rebounding team because of Love yet they absolutely suck defensively and overall. Not sure what to make of that, but suspect it has to do with lack of interior defense
Love would be good for the Wizards ONLY if
JaVale McGee becomes that defensive anchor that we all want him to be… He doesn’t need to be Dwight Howard good…. But approaching Tyson Chandler would be nice…
As DMVLeGenD says – Love is a poor defender…. BUT I disagree with him about Love’s rebounding… His board work could immediately translate to more stops (and therefore fewer opponent second chances) and hence a better defensive team overall. In addition, more defensive boards lead to more fast breaks – and more offensive points. As long as there is a good defensive stopper (like we hope McGee can become), a rebounding machine like Love could work even with his sub-par defense.
On offense, McGee’s low post work on his jump hooks could mesh very well with Kevin Love’s high post pick-and-pop game. Love scores in a variety of ways from the outside: Pick-and-pop ; catch-and-shoot ; and on the offensive boards. He draws a lot of fouls (7 Free throw attempts per game), and is a tremendous FT shooter (85%). He’s a great passer from the high post – and a tremendous outlet passer. He’s also a pretty good 3-point shooter (42%) – In short, he is one of the most efficient big men in the League offensively (59% TSP)…
The worst you can say about Love is that he’s not a very good defender, and not very good in the low post… but if McGee becomes that low post offensive guy, and is your defensive ace – Love fits perfectly..
Unfortunately, either Minnesota will sign him to an extension or one of the marquee teams will almost certainly get him in a sign-and-trade before the Wizards would have a chance to go after him in Free Agency.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Hmm...
When I think of Kevin Love and JaVale McGee together, I think about how good a defender Joahkim Noah is and how bad Carlos Boozer looked in the playoffs. I don’t think there was anything Noah could have done to help Boozer’s deficiencies. In other words, he would be badly exposed during the playoffs.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Dec 14, 2011 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
great comparison
but javale is not on joakim level and intellect. love is not boozer offensively and as quick.
by back_to_the_future on Dec 14, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
for the record, Noah wasnt known for any great intellect his first years in the league
It’s Thibs who turned that roster into a defensive force, and if Thibs was Mcgee’s coach you can bet he’d be twice the defensive player he is (imho)
Wolves fan.
I doubt it’s a real option, but it would be a great fit.
Love is a good man defender and poor help defender. LMA and Z-Bo abuse him, but he holds his own better than people expect against most of the other PFs in the league and he can cover just about any center not in the running for an all-star bid.
McGee would be an ideal pairing if he stayed focused and was a big presence as a weak side help defender.
If Love walks I expect him to be west coast bound. He’s made it pretty clear he likes CA. I just don’t see a lot of movement among RFA next year though. Gasol and Jordan were both retained and so far no one has picked up Young, Affalo or Stuckey. The new CBA seems to encourage RFA to stay put and other high end players to avoid extensions in favor of free agency even if staying put.
600 N First Ave "like a Pirate's cove".
I don't think he stays in Minny
The Wolves will have plenty of cap space to resign Love next summer, but I just can’t see him wanting to stay there. The Lakers or Clippers would obviously be his top choices, but the Clippers already have Blake and DeAndre, however the Lakers could end up making the most sense if they are unsuccessful adding Dwight or CP3 this year.
With that said, I’m not willing to dismiss the magnetism of Wall and the desire for other players to want to play with him. Having money to sign him, a pg like Wall to get him the ball, and a defensive stopper behind him like McGee is something most other teams won’t have to offer him.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 14, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
Depends on the cost for me.
I just don’t see Love as a max contract guy. Other than that, I completely agree with your assessment. We need a proven rebounder that can set screens. Love also has good hands and excellent passing.
Irony (n.) -Michael Westbrook as the hero on Bully Beatdown.
Agreed
Rook once said that Sullinger makes a lot of sense for the Wizards because in order to get out on the break and run up tempo you need a guy that gets you ball first. Love is that rebounding guy, an excellent outlet passer, and a solid screener as mentioned. I see it fitting well!
by SpecialSauce on Dec 14, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
Can't hurt that we drafted his dad either.
Irony (n.) -Michael Westbrook as the hero on Bully Beatdown.
But he's restricted
I’d be happy to throw a ton of money at the guy. But is there actually a universe in which the Wolves don’t match any offer?
Sign & Trade
If Love doesn’t want to be in Minny, he won’t. The T’wolves may have his rights, but we see it all the time where players force their freedom. I could easily see a scenario where Minny gets to choose from Vesely, Singleton, Blatche, Seraphin, Booker, 1st rd protected picks, etc…
by SpecialSauce on Dec 14, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
And you think Love will want to force his way out of Minnesote TO Wasington?
No such universe
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
DC is an attractive city
Don’t knock the draw of DC, the magnetism of Wall, and the East coast bias that happens in sports. LA is great, but there’s more marketing opportunities and future exposure on this side of the country.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 14, 2011 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
depends on how good Wall will be this yr though, or the team for that matter
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
depends on how good Wall will be this yr though, or the team for that matter
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah - you're right...
Look at all the high profile Free Agents that have flocked to DC in the last 30 years….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Such Hating
Miami hasn’t always been the FA hot bed either. Lets see what John Wall looks like in year two. An elite talent at pg can change a lot of things. And money always talks.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 14, 2011 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
I don't hate DC.... quite the contrary...
but I’m also a realist….
DC will never be able to compete for the big name Free Agents like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago… It’s as simple as bigger size, bigger opportunity, bigger prize. Period.
Miami has it’s weather and beaches – the only reason they can compete with NY, LA and Chi-town. But the big 3 still rule…. If Honolulu had a team, they could probably compete as well as Miami….
It’s all about money – and how much of it an NBA franchise can generate…. In those larger television markets (and NY, LA and Chicago, in that order, are the three largest US television markets) they can generate tremendous revenues… Players have many more, and much bigger marketing opportunities. Hell, New York is 3 times the size of DC (TV Households)…
I’m just surprised that New York and L A don’t have all 10 of the League’s top players….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Random thought, minor selling point
In theory, the Wiz should have to travel less than any team in the league, because we’re centrally located in the Eastern Conference.
I don’t suppose any top players have a fear of flying? Not yet?
http://bigpicturereport.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/cartoon.jpg
How about now?
The only knock I can see on love is his defense
We’re going to see how much of an effect tyson chandler has on new york, and stat plays equally if not worse defense than love.
If they can generate any form of success, than there’s no reason to think that the wizards can’t do the same with a love/mcgee frontcourt.
Geting it done.
Love is more than worthy of the max
And the wolves know that. They’ll match any offer, and if he forces his way out it won’t be to the wizards. Simple as that. I’d absolutely love to have him though.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bullets Forever
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
