Fine-Tuning the Spacing Issue
Against certain teams, Love’s presence at center is invaluable due to his ability to spread the offense. With big men trying to potentially guard him from the three-point line, the paint offers someone like James the freedom to romp through for monster dunks.
Given Love’s skills when it comes to passing, the ball’s most likely to end up there. If that creates a swarm of traffic to stop James, someone else becomes wide open. Either way, Love can get back to his final season statistics in Minnesota, when he averaged 4.4 assists per game. Those numbers have been sliced in half since arriving in Cleveland.
Accomplishing the Task
Love has a total of 84 double-doubles in his two seasons with the Cavaliers, including 11 in the postseason. That might not seem as if any growth is needed in his game, yet the pieces appear to be falling in place for him to do just that. A breakout season would help him reach the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career and prime the Cavs for a run at their second consecutive NBA title.
