Cleveland: Don’t Rush True Love, Let Kevin Come To You
By JCook
In case you’ve been under a rock the last few weeks, since LeBron’s return to the Cavs one potential move has been featured as the top headline by media outlets across the globe:
Cleveland trading to obtain Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Mar 31, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) goes up for a shot in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Clippers won 114-104. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The main reason for this move is simple, because Love is the perfect complementary piece to the Homecoming King, Ohio’s own LeBron James.
Why?
That’s also simple.
For some opponents, the best way to contain LeBron is to pack the paint and force him to shoot rather than attack the basket.
The main way to nullify this strategy is to put three-point shooters on the floor with James.
This spaces the floor and forces the defense to respect those shooters, thus opening up the paint and giving multiple options for the King to work with.
If the defense stays on the shooters, James drives to the rack.
If they collapse, a spot-up shooter is open to knock down a trey.
It’s a win-win.
In addition, Love is essentially an upgrade offensively to what LeBron had from Chris Bosh in Miami.
Like Bosh, Love is a Stretch 4 and causes those defensive matchup troubles that plagued so many teams over LeBron’s tenure in South Beach.
As for that offensive upgrade, Kevin Love averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds last season compared to 17 points and 7 rebounds by Bosh.
Without going into the negatives that Love brings with him, (which, among other things, primarily revolves around further damage to Cleveland’s already lackluster interior defense,) it’s clear that bringing Kevin to The Q would make the Cavs instant front-runners for the Eastern Conference crown.
However, according to almost every media outlet, the Cavs will have to give up Andrew Wiggins in order to make this a reality.
Freeze.
Stop the talks right there and DO NOT make this move.
Why?
Wiggins has the potential to be a superstar in this league.
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) walks off the stage after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Furthermore, when looking at a life after LeBron, Wiggins could be the future of Cavaliers basketball. Plus, he gets to learn from arguably the best player to ever play the game for the first half of his career.
Assuming Wiggy pans out, (and he stays with the Cavs), he ensures success for Cleveland down the road.
And yet…the Cavs are contemplating giving him up for a man they can get FOR FREE?
Let me explain.
Right now, Cleveland is considering giving up future draft picks, Anthony Bennett AND Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love and whatever other pieces are thrown in.
However!
If the Cavs wait a year…just ONE YEAR…Love will be theirs for nothing more than a new contract.
How is this possible?
Simple.
K-Love is a free agent, and the front office will do everything in their power to unite Bron and Kevin come next off-season.
Apr 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) is pressured by Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves won in 2 overtimes 122-121. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Plus, Love has expressed interest in playing with the King, just like many players have over the last few years, so chances are he’ll want to join up during free agency.
The bottom line is, getting rid of Wiggins in order to obtain a player you can sign next year is a prime example of impatience in its purest form.
Of course, we all understand that this is a move to win now…
…but we have to realize that Cleveland is in prime position to compete for titles for years to come.
Who knows, maybe they’ll even win a few.
However, the best way to ensure this is to be patient and upgrade the roster by giving up as little as possible.
If you’re still not convinced, just take a look at the following excerpt from LeBron’s “Coming Home” Letter:
“I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys.” -LeBron James “I’m Coming Home” 7/11/14
So then let that happen!
I don’t care if he didn’t mention Bennett or Wiggins in the letter!
I don’t care if he wrote in bold font:
.
Cross it out and stay true to the initial objective: “I’m not promising a championship…Of course I want to win next year, but I’m realistic…It will be a long process”
Maybe this is accurate and the Cavs don’t make it out of the East Semis, let alone the Eastern Conference Finals.
or
Maybe the Cavs shock the world and win a NBA Championship LeBron’s 1st year back.
Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics former center Bill Russell (right) presents the MVP trophy to Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (left) after game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win the NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of which outcome it is, let that be a result from the roster currently established.
If Cleveland has to give up Wiggins in order to obtain Love, then I say “Forget About It!”.
After all, someday, if it’s meant to be, true Love will always find its way to you.
In this particular case, that someday is Summer 2015.