Behind the Bucks Pass
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NBA: Top 10 Players In The Eastern Conference

By Ti Windisch

Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the fourth quarter in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the fourth quarter in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Kevin Love

It’s game seven of the 2016 NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors are down by three points, and they have the ball. The Warriors do what they always do in this situation–give Stephen Curry the ball, and switch him onto a lesser defender.

Since the Warriors are facing the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love is the target. Love, one of the most hated-on players in the entire NBA, isn’t exactly known for being able to defend perimeter players, much less the hardest one there is to guard.

Still, he locks Curry down. Twice, in the same possession. Curry can’t get anything over Love, and the Cavs get the ball back and hold on to complete the best comeback in Finals history. Without that play, does Kevin Love still get this high on this list?

He probably should. That defense on Curry wasn’t the first time Love played real defense–despite his reputation, he’s got a better defensive rating than any other rotation Cavalier and was second to only LeBron in defensive wins added.

Add that to Love’s 16 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game and you’ve got one hell of a player. Kyrie and LeBron might be the celebrated pair in Cleveland, but make no mistake–Kevin Love is crucial to how good the Cavaliers have been.

Next: Number Five

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