By Tiago Lirman
Kevin Love, a five-time NBA All-Star, has joined the Miami Heat after much uncertainty about his destination after the trade deadline. The Miami Heat is a team known for its hardworking and dedicated culture. Love has bought into this culture and has accepted his role as a starting PF (Power Forward) on the team. As an NBA veteran, Love brings experience and knowledge to this Miami Heat team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Measuring in at 6’10, Love offers size and the ability to rebound in order to gain second-chance opportunities and take away chances to score for the opposition. Love has averaged over 8 rebounds since joining the team. Additionally, Love has shot 37% from range throughout his 15-season NBA career. A big man that can shoot the ball from the three-point line is hard to find in such a rigorous and tenuous league like the NBA. Therefore, Kevin Love can stretch the floor and hit threes, Although he has averaged only 25% from beyond the arc since joining the Miami Heat after the All-Star Break, Love's ability to catch fire forces the defense to respect his shot. Moreover, this helps open up space on the court for the Miami Heat’s main scorers such as Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
In 2016, Love conquered one of the greatest achievements in sports: The Larry O’Brien trophy. He played a critical role alongside two great players like Lebron James and Kylie Irving when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the championship. This shows that Kevin Love has been successful playing alongside two All-Star caliber players and seeks to win it all once more.
Erik Spoelstra has praised Kevin Love’s game by stating, “ When Kevin became available, or at least there was a possible discussion about it, everybody was all in on it. It was a no-brainer. The fit just makes a lot of sense for all of us.”
However, the beginning of his journey with the Miami Heat hasn’t been as anticipated. The Heat have lost four out of seven games since the All-Star break and Kevin Love has seen limited minutes although being part of the starting unit. He has also picked up a rib injury and didn’t play in Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Replacing Kevin Love at the PF position was Caleb Martin, as he scored 21 points and had a big impact on both ends of the floor leading the Heat to defeat the Hawks 130-128. Ultimately, Caleb Martin’s great performance against the Atlanta Hawks and Kevin Love’s limited minutes as a starting PF has Miami Heat fans concerned. On paper, Kevin Love has been a great addition to the roster and only time will tell if Kevin Love truly fits this Miami Heat team looking to make a late-season run to win an NBA championship.
תגובות