We’ve all been hearing it. Whether you frequent forms of social media such as Facebook or Twitter, or you get your NBA fix sent directly to your phone via the SportsCenter app, you know that the talk of the town in Cleveland, other than the return of King James, is the possibility of him pairing up with Kevin Love this coming fall. There’s been no way to avoid it. But, with this possibility begs the question: is Kevin Love worth TWO number 1 overall picks in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, along with some future 1st rounders? Well, let’s see.
With the return of LeBron James, we can only assume he will man a point forward sort of role, undoubtedly being the man on the floor responsible for cohesive offensive play and the much needed distribution of the ball (Cleveland finished 11th worst in team assists per game, while a LeBron James’ run Miami Heat team, finished 11th best). One can only hope that LeBron’s selflessness offensively would translate into the younger players’ game at least a little, and if it does, along with ball movement and assisting, unselfish basketball comes points, another place where Cleveland finished near the bottom. So with the possible addition of 3 point line assassin, Mike Miller and possibly one of the best shooters of all time, Ray Allen, we can only hope that this would be fuel for a powerful offensive machine consisting of Kyrie and LeBron driving and kicking to an open Dion, Andrew, Mike, Ray or even Anthony Bennett. The offensive possibilities are mouth-watering. So, what does that leave?
Defense. More specifically, rim protection; a place where Cleveland really hasn’t improved this off-season and something Kevin Love would not be able to offer them. While arguably a beast on the boards, Kevin Love’s focus seems to be on just that- the boards. The lack of effort at contesting shots at the rim all the way out to the 3 point line left him at 99th in the league in blocks per game. That’s fine, that’s not his MO, but that’s exactly what Cleveland has to avoid at this point. Guess who the Cavaliers leader in the blocks per game last season was? Anderson Varejao, with a lackluster 0.6 a game.
Long story short, the Cavaliers need a banger down low that can gobble up the boards WHILE being a terror to opposing players that would dare enter the paint, NOT another 3 point shooter/lackadaisical defender. A team that was in the lower third of the league in opponent field goal percentage at the rim with 53.2% and second to last in total blocks per game with 3.7, doesn’t need a player down low that will allow 57.4% of field goals in at the rim and give you only half a block per game. So to me, the choice is simple. If I’m David Griffin, I’m keeping my young players and future draft picks in hopes to properly fill a need somewhere in the near future.
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