King James Gospel
Fansided

Is there a new Big 3 in town for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

By Samuel Baum

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 21, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 21, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 3: Kevin Love

Kevin Love is a five-time All-Star has is proven to be an elite threat. Love was part of the Cavaliers’ original Big 3 that featured superstars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

With LeBron signing with the Lakers this offseason and Kyrie being traded to Boston last offseason, it’s up to Love to continue Cleveland’s dominance.

With a newly signed four-year, $120 million contract extension, Love’s play will determine the success of the Cavs in the near future. Last season, Love averaged 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and we could certainly see his production to go up considering James and Irving are both gone.

Another factor that will contribute to his numbers is how much his teammates help him with the scoring load and how much offensive spacing they can create for him.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the team produces in its LeBron-less years. Theoretically, with more shots to go around (since 19.3 shots per game departed with him to Los Angeles Lakers) the contributions of fellow teammates should go up.

If there one thing you can be sure of its that Love, who has career averages of 18.3 points on 44.4 percent shooting from the field, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, will be consistent.

Expect the 29-year-old to at least match those this season.