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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 burning questions ahead of training camp

By Nathan Beighle

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 – APRIL 18: Rodney Hood
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 18: Rodney Hood /

Can Kevin Love return to his Minnesota form?

Kevin Love didn’t have the resources and leadership around him while in Minnesota that he has in Cleveland, so early on in his career, he had to do it all. Love proved he could though, securing MVP shares in two of his six seasons in Minnesota.

During his last three seasons up north, he scored over 26 points per game in two of those three. In the middle of the three seasons, Love was banged up, playing just 18 games.

With that, it’s easy to see that keeping Love on the court could also be an issue. He played just 119 of a potential 164 games over the past two seasons, yet with James and Irving leading the charge, his presence wasn’t always needed to put a competitive team on the court.

That all changes this season though.

Love, who has slimmed down over the past four seasons, has a different body and different strengths than he did in Minnesota. James’ and Irving’s presence transitioned Love into more of a spot-up shooter.

The last half a decade has been a whirlwind for Love.

Four Finals and three Finals losses will put a players body through the grinder, both physically and mentally. Additionally, on top of playing longer seasons, Love has been the clear third option for three of those seasons and was the clear second option last year.

Love could easily average 24 points per game to tag along with his elite rebounding numbers, but will he? Can the more dominant Love return to the court?