Kevin Love Criticizes Cavs, Indicates Teammates Are Not Comfortable With Offense

The Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten off to an incredibly slow start to the 2019-20 season and now sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-15.

While they’re currently on pace to improve upon their 2018-19 record of 19-63, star big man Kevin Love is not satisfied.

The five-time All-Star spoke with reporters following his team’s blowout defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons and made it clear that he is unhappy with the way the Cavs are currently playing.

“We just need flow,” Love said of his team’s play on offense. “Too many times, we don’t know what (set) we’re in.”

While he didn’t say it outright, Love seems to be specifically calling out starting guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Both players have not just struggled individually at times this season, but have also struggled to get on the same page with each other.

Both youngsters seem to be more comfortable operating as shoot-first guards, and as a result, the Cavs frontcourt has been underutilized at times.

In Tuesday night’s loss, Love took just seven shots. Fellow frontcourt mate Tristan Thompson took just 11. Love discussed the state of production from the veteran combination.

“It’s pretty much been nonexistent,” he said. “I’m just trying to get myself involved a little more. I don’t know. I can’t really answer that.”

So far this season, Garland is averaging 3.0 assists per game. Sexton’s numbers are even worse than that, averaging 2.5 assists per game.

Heading into the season, Love was projected to be not only the most vocal veteran leader on a young Cavs team, but also one of the focal points of the team’s offense. Right now, it seems he’s focusing on the leadership portion of his role.

Hopefully, that leads to some additional opportunities on offense as well.