Not in Love with Love

Kevin Love is a very productive college basketball player. However, I don't understand the infatuation with him. Sure, he is a good outlet passer. I'll give you that. But, he doesn't finish strong above the rim inside. In fact, early in the Arizona game, he was in perfect position to go strong to the rim and backed the ball out because he was afraid of Jawann McClellan blocking his shot. He backed it out, then drove around his defender and scored. Jay Bilas thought that was outstanding ... I'm not so sure.

Then, shortly thereafter (it may have been the next UCLA possession), Love received the ball on the run outside the 3-pt line. He immediately put the ball on the floor. However, between the first and second dribble, he palmed the ball blatantly (I think he also pinned it against his side simultaneously) before proceeding to the basket. After being stopped, he was bailed out by the official on a hideous up fake, jump into the defender combo.

Is Kevin Love the next Mehmet Okur or Brad Miller? With his lack of explosiveness, it's hard to see him being a dominant low post scorer in the NBA. If he can't take it to McClellan (who averages less than 1 block per game), is he going to be able to take it to Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, etc. in the NBA? Love is a space eater with good skills for a post player. And, he has more height than Danny Fortson or Corliss Williamson. But, while Okur and Miller have both been all-stars (once each, right? ... I didn't check my facts on that one), I wouldn't consider either of them to be franchise players. Okur is the 3rd option for the Jazz (Boozer and Williams) and Miller was a similar piece for the Kings (Bibby, Peja, Webber). Sean May is another wide body who was very productive in college (at UNC) who hasn't transitioned seamlessly to the NBA. He was a lottery pick who has been a 10 and 6 guy for the Bobcats playing about half the game.

While I'd rather have Love than OU PF Blake Griffin, I don't think he is the player K-State PF Michael Beasley is. Love is a great piece in the UCLA Bruin team puzzle. Thoughts of the NBA should wait a while. His athleticism needs to improve, as well as his effectiveness scoring in traffic. I guess he can do that playing limited minutes collecting a pay check at the next level, but why not enjoy college for a while?