Nov 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) celebrates a basket from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
AM: Kevin Love hasn’t been shooting the ball particularly well in the opening few games of the season, but otherwise he’s looked good. How do you feel he’s fitting in overall in Cleveland one year on from his arrival?
JH: I actually wrote about this topic recently, so you can click on that to get my full feelings on the subject. But to sum it all up, you know how Stephen Amell was sort of a bit awkward and didn’t quite seem to fit in during the first season of Arrow, but then by season two had a new confidence as Oliver Queen and as a result the show began to blossom into what it is today? That’s Kevin Love in Cleveland.
It’s not like he was Kwame Brown out there last season. In fact, it might shock people if I say that (GASP) he was still a very good player. But really think about it: he had to transition to a new team, go to a city he didn’t want to unless James was there, forfeit his role as The Man, try to create a new chemistry with an entirely new group of guys, play in a system that didn’t benefit his style of play, learn how to win and, finally, deal with a pressure he’d never even sniffed in Minnesota. I’d say he handled that all quite well.
Now this year, Love looks far more comfortable and is starting to play like he used to when he was putting up huge numbers for the Timberwolves. His shooting isn’t on track yet, but it should get there. Everything else has been stellar. He’s a top three power forward right now, no question. By the time we arrive in spring, there shouldn’t be nearly as many jokes about him as there were last season.
Enjoy your season two, K-Love!
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