King James Gospel
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Can Kevin Love carry the Cavaliers?

By Doug Patrick

Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers leaves the court after a 105-101 win in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Indiana Pacers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers leaves the court after a 105-101 win in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Indiana Pacers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Kevin Love is now the best player on a new Cleveland Cavaliers team that wants to remain competitive.

Their seriousness as contenders in the East hinges heavily on how good Love can be as a primary star. Can the Cleveland Cavaliers rely on Love to lead them to the postseason?

Could the Minnesota Kevin Love return?

The All-Star forward has been a number one guy before, back in Minnesota. In his final season with the Wolves, Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds. He was in the MVP conversation alongside Kevin Durant and LeBron James that year.

Love may then look primed to repeat these numbers in his new role following LeBron’s departure. With Cleveland, Kevin Love has maintained perennial All-Star status. Though clearly the third option behind James and Irving for three of his four years in Cleveland, he has averaged a double-double (17.1 ppg, 10 rpg) and led the team in rebounds each season.

The theory is that Love is a star in the league and, without other stars, his numbers will balloon back up to their Minnesota levels.

How good can a Kevin Love Cavs team be?

But how many wins does Kevin Love, even reincarnated as a Timberwolf, give the Cavs?

In that 2013-14 MVP candidate season, Kevin Love led the Wolves to a 40-42 record, missing the playoffs in the West. The season was ultimately a disappointment.

Granted, this Minnesota team was different than the Cleveland one he now finds himself.

Instead of Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea, Love now has Collin Sexton and George Hill. For Gorgui Dieng and Nikola Pekovic, he has Tristan Thompson and Ante Zizic. For Kevin Martin and Corey Brewer, he has J.R. Smith and Cedi Osman.

This Cavs roster is both younger and carries more proven, winning players. Love himself is also now an NBA Champion, and learning to win is a skill that cannot be overstated. Plus, playing in the significantly weaker East will only help Love in the win column.