Kevin Love, today: "I am a Cavalier long term"

[Hey Yo]

"Words are only worth so much, but Kevin Love continues to say all the right things when it comes to his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In an interview with ESPN Radio

[FatComputerNerd]

:applause:

Love's been great lately. Still wish we'd have kept Wiggins and Bennett though.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Kevin love today - "im staying ringless I guess"

[Fudge]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?

[AnaheimLakers24]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?
:roll:

[lilteapot]

At first he didn't look to happy to be in Cleveland, but he's putting up big numbers lately and seems to be more content. He's staying as long as he sees this team has championship potential.

[penny4president]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?
:lebronamazed:

[Beastmode88]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?

OH SHUT IT DOWN. :applause:

[RedBlackAttack]

Amazing that the Cavs are in this position. Three incredible talents on the same team longterm while the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics' respective futures remain cloudy at best. Has there been a shift away from the "prime" markets in the NBA or is this a unique situation that probably won't be seen again?

One thing is for sure... it's fun being a Cavs fan right now. It took a few weeks to work the kinks out but this team is good. And it's becoming fun to watch.

[hawksdreamfan44]

Good sign for Cavs fans, but his teammate also promised another team "Not one, not two, not three..." lol.

[Hey Yo]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?
:biggums:

Why wouldn't we be?

[Hey Yo]

OH SHUT IT DOWN. :applause:
LOL @ you thinking that was Taffer quote worthy.

[anthonyRandolph]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7295932/new-orleans-hornets-guard-chris-paul-says-heart-new-orleans

[Cavalier]

I liked seeing Love get amped up when Kyrie made that ridiculous and-1 last night. Normally he doesn't show a lot of emotion but he's starting to open up a bit more and you can tell he's having fun playing with this squad.

[dubeta]

I dont really care whether Love stays or leaves, LeBron won with much less he can do it again.

[riseagainst]

:biggums:

Why wouldn't we be?

"we". Next year it'll be "they".

[FatComputerNerd]

Amazing that the Cavs are in this position. Three incredible talents on the same team longterm while the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics' respective futures remain cloudy at best. Has there been a shift away from the "prime" markets in the NBA or is this a unique situation that probably won't be seen again?

One thing is for sure... it's fun being a Cavs fan right now. It took a few weeks to work the kinks out but this team is good. And it's becoming fun to watch.

I don't think all the kinks are worked out quite yet.

Our bench in particular has continued to be consistently underwhelming. If not for Mike Miller's contribution last night we may very well have lost that game.

I dunno wtf is up w/ Dion either. I don't think I saw him in the second half at all?

[robert de niro]

an article from last year

Kevin Love says he loves being in Minnesota, wants to be there

[RedBlackAttack]

I don't think all the kinks are worked out quite yet.

Our bench in particular has continued to be consistently underwhelming. If not for Mike Miller's contribution last night we may very well have lost that game.

I dunno wtf is up w/ Dion either. I don't think I saw him in the second half at all?
Dion is really struggling right now. It is no longer just a "fit" thing because with him being moved to the bench, he actually has the freedom to create and attack the basket. That was the whole reason Blatt made the move, to give Waiters more responsibility when he's on the floor. Dion has responded by shelling up. The other thing is that his defensive effort is sporadic at best. He'll be solid one game and then a matador the next.

Let's face it... our young guys -- Kyrie, Dion and Tristan -- could go two ways with the increased attention and expectations. They could either raise their games, figure out how they fit and take advantage of the situation or shell up and shrink away from the spotlight. Kyrie has taken the challenge head-on, improved virtually every aspect of his game -- most notably on the defensive end -- and is playing the best basketball of his career. Tristan has been pretty good. Dion has shriveled up.

I don't know if it is the pressure or an attitude thing or what, but he looks like a shell of the player he was last year. He usually oozes confidence and attacks relentlessly, but he's having a real crisis of confidence right now... or he's pouting... or both. Whatever it is, it's not good.

I'm a big fan of Dion's game when he's got his head in it, but he looks totally detached right now. As the other guys look like they're growing closer every game, Dion looks like he's growing apart. He played nine poor minutes last night. Blatt had so little confidence in him, he went with Mike Miller in the second half, who had been out of the rotation completely. And, the fact that it worked out so well is more bad news for Dion.

I don't know what the future holds but his days in Cleveland could be numbered unless something changes drastically... and soon.

[DukeDelonte13]

Dion is really struggling right now. It is no longer just a "fit" thing because with him being moved to the bench, he actually has the freedom to create and attack the basket. That was the whole reason Blatt made the move, to give Waiters more responsibility when he's on the floor. Dion has responded by shelling up. The other thing is that his defensive effort is sporadic at best. He'll be solid one game and then a matador the next.

Let's face it... our young guys -- Kyrie, Dion and Tristan -- could go two ways with the increased attention and expectations. They could either raise their games, figure out how they fit and take advantage of the situation or shell up and shrink away from the spotlight. Kyrie has taken the challenge head-on, improved virtually every aspect of his game -- most notably on the defensive end -- and is playing the best basketball of his career. Tristan has been pretty good. Dion has shriveled up.

I don't know if it is the pressure or an attitude thing or what, but he looks like a shell of the player he was last year. He usually oozes confidence and attacks relentlessly, but he's having a real crisis of confidence right now... or he's pouting... or both. Whatever it is, it's not good.

I'm a big fan of Dion's game when he's got his head in it, but he looks totally detached right now. As the other guys look like they're growing closer every game, Dion looks like he's growing apart. He played nine poor minutes last night. Blatt had so little confidence in him, he went with Mike Miller in the second half, who had been out of the rotation completely. And, the fact that it worked out so well is more bad news for Dion.

I don't know what the future holds but his days in Cleveland could be numbered unless something changes drastically... and soon.

i think that Dion is just confused.. too much going on for him on the offensive side to fully grasp. I think he'll come around. He's at his best when he's playing disorganized ball and he can freelance. He's on too short of a leash to do that right now. I kinda almost want Blatt to just let Dion do what he does, but I know that isn't the right long term solution. It's going to take time. 3 different coaches in 3 years, and this year he has a ton of pressure to constantly make the right bball play.

I'm neither surprised or concerned about Dion's struggles, I just hope the cavs don't overreact and do something stupid like trading him from crap. They need that scoring off the bench especially if one of Kyrie, Lebron, or Love goes down.

[R.I.P.]

Of course he will. Unless the Cavs get moved to the West. Then him and Bron need to move to Miami together. :oldlol:

[J Shuttlesworth]

Of course he will. Unless the Cavs get moved to the West. Then him and Bron need to move to Miami together. :oldlol:
Why the hell would the Cavs get moved to the west?

[J Shuttlesworth]

Love's been looking great the last few games. Honestly, the big 3 has looked really good. Last night they got 28, 27, and 26 pts :bowdown:

Love watching Love come up with rebounds that you think there's no way in hell

[Mr. Jabbar]

Kevin Love, today: "I am a Cavalier long term"
Kevin Love, tomorrow: "I am a Cavalier mid term"
Kevin Love, the day after tomorrow: "I am a Cavalier short term"
Kevin Love, 3 more days: "Lakers 4 life"

:applause: :applause: :bowdown:

[dubeta]

Kevin Love, today: "I am a Cavalier long term"
Kevin Love, tomorrow: "I am a Cavalier mid term"
Kevin Love, the day after tomorrow: "I am a Cavalier short term"
Kevin Love, 3 more days: "Lakers 4 life"

:applause: :applause: :bowdown:

:facepalm

Love colluding twice in a year?

[J Shuttlesworth]

:facepalm

Love colluding twice in a year?
Kobe wouldn't collude. It's not like he went to dinner with Melo and Gasol and tried to get Melo to join

[Mr. Jabbar]

:facepalm

Love colluding twice in a year?

2 superstars is not colluding, colluding is 3+ superstars

2+ = superteam

[J Shuttlesworth]

2 superstars is not colluding, colluding is 3+ superstars

2+ = superteam
Good thing Kyrie isn't a superstar then

[Mr. Jabbar]

Good thing Kyrie isn't a superstar then

he alrdy is and will only get better

[FatComputerNerd]

Good thing Kyrie isn't a superstar then

Kyrie established himself as a superstar in his rookie season.

Deal with it!

[Hey Yo]

Kyrie established himself as a superstar in his rookie season.

Deal with it!
:lol ........:facepalm

[J Shuttlesworth]

Kyrie established himself as a superstar in his rookie season.

Deal with it!
No sorry but no.

You can't be top 3 at best at your position and be a superstar.

[FatComputerNerd]

:lol ........:facepalm

Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving named Kia Rookie of the Year

By Official release
Posted May 15 2012 11:12AM

NEW YORK -- Kyrie Irving is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the 2011-12 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, the NBA announced today. Irving totaled 592 points and received 117 first-place votes from a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.

Minnesota's Ricky Rubio finished second with 170 points and Denver's Kenneth Faried finished third with 129 points (one first-place vote). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Among first-year players, Irving ranked first in scoring (18.5 ppg), field goal percentage (.469) and free throw percentage (.872), while placing second in assists (5.4 apg) and three-point field goal percentage (.399). Among all players, Irving ranked tied for fourth in fourth-quarter scoring (6.4 ppg) while shooting .518 from the field, .410 from beyond the arc and .868 from the charity stripe.

The top selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, Irving joins Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson and, LeBron James as the only No. 1 overall draft picks to average at least 18.0 points and 5.0 assists. In addition, he is one of only six rookies in league history to average at least 18.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting at least .450 from the field, joining Johnson, Jordan, Alvan Adams, Grant Hill, and Tyreke Evans.

http://www.nba.com/2012/news/05/15/rookie-of-the-year-release/



I'd say that pretty much cemented it.

[Hey Yo]

Among all players, Irving ranked tied for fourth in fourth-quarter scoring (6.4 ppg) while shooting .518 from the field, .410 from beyond the arc and .868 from the charity stripe.

That makes one a superstar after 1 season????

:oldlol:

:hammerhead:

[FatComputerNerd]

That makes one a superstar after 1 season????

:oldlol:

:hammerhead:

Pretty sure he did it the next year as well, if not better. People were calling him Mr. 4th quarter...

Last season was a bit of a fluke all-around for us, but this season he's been playing better than ever, including massive improvement on the defensive end.

He's also shown the ability to play off the ball (lebron-ball), very effectively.

[RedBlackAttack]

Good thing Kyrie isn't a superstar then
Funny thing is Kyrie has been the most consistent player on the team thus far. Oh yeah, he's just 22.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Pretty sure he did it the next year as well, if not better. People were calling him Mr. 4th quarter...

Last season was a bit of a fluke all-around for us, but this season he's been playing better than ever, including massive improvement on the defensive end.

He's also shown the ability to play off the ball (lebron-ball), very effectively.
By your standards, there are at least 15 superstars in the NBA at a time. Is that how you see it?

[Doranku]

No sorry but no.

You can't be top 3 at best at your position and be a superstar.


Is Carmelo Anthony a superstar?

[ALBballer]

He will be there as long as Lebron is there.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Funny thing is Kyrie has been the most consistent player on the team thus far. Oh yeah, he's just 22.
I agree, and he's been great. LeBron has been straight ass, but even sloppy LeBron is a great player. I still wouldn't call Kyrie a superstar, but I wouldn't call Love one either TBH. There are only really three true superstars in the league, LeBron, Kobe, and Durant. Melo is borderline, but I have a hard time calling someone who has never been to the finals a superstar.

[Pointguard]

He should hurry up and sign so he can be the scapegoat and get it over with.
"No Love 4 Love"
"Love Lost shouldn't come back"
"For Love's sake, Leave"
"Fouled Love, too Cavalier at the Line"
"Missing Love, should find a new home"
"Love to see him go"
After Dion doesn't pass to Kevin "Waiters won't serve Love"
After Nets star dunks on him, "Love for Joe's Johnson"
After he doesn't pass the ball, "Love's only desire is to fullfill itself"
After he comes into training camp Fat, "Its InFATsituation not Love."

After missing 20 straight three's
Its not Falling in Love, play it another way.

[Smoke117]

Why do people think you need to make a thread on nonsense like this? What is he supposed to say: "My tenure here in cleveland depends on how much we win and how many shots I get"? Yawn.

[LoneyROY7]

But the question is, will you guys be Cavalier fans long term?

http://media.giphy.com/media/er9VRyxjx0Thm/giphy.gif

[inclinerator]

fat computer nerd is trolling

[20Four]

[QUOTE=Hey Yo]"Words are only worth so much, but Kevin Love continues to say all the right things when it comes to his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In an interview with ESPN Radio

[RedBlackAttack]

I agree, and he's been great. LeBron has been straight ass, but even sloppy LeBron is a great player. I still wouldn't call Kyrie a superstar, but I wouldn't call Love one either TBH. There are only really three true superstars in the league, LeBron, Kobe, and Durant. Melo is borderline, but I have a hard time calling someone who has never been to the finals a superstar.
At some point it becomes semantics, open to interpretation and ultimately pretty arbitrary. For instance, LeBron James was a superstar before he made the Finals in 2007. But, it seems to me that the term "superstar" is achieved based on recognition and popularity as much as it is on accomplishments or skill on the basketball court. So, when assessing how good a team is, who cares if a guy is a "superstar" or not?

What I've seen of Kyrie and LeBron together, particularly, they fit together like a hand in glove... much better than I even anticipated. They're able to share the ball handling duties and LeBron's pretty unique skillset as a combo forward/point is accentuated by Kyrie's shooting ability and off-ball game. They allow each other space and lanes to attack without getting in one anothers' way.

Whether Kyrie is technically a "superstar" given a very narrow definition is really beside the point...

Irving's efficiency has been insane this year: 60.6 TS%, 55.5 eFG%, 42% from three, 2.93 assist-to-turnover rate... and these numbers are trending upward. His usage is way down and his production is way up.

If LeBron starts playing the way he did the last couple of years and Love keeps getting more comfortable, the team's efficiency numbers are going to be through the roof.

[DMAVS41]

At some point it becomes semantics, open to interpretation and ultimately pretty arbitrary. For instance, LeBron James was a superstar before he made the Finals in 2007. But, it seems to me that the term "superstar" is achieved based on recognition and popularity as much as it is on accomplishments or skill on the basketball court. So, when assessing how good a team is, who cares if a guy is a "superstar" or not?

What I've seen of Kyrie and LeBron together, particularly, they fit together like a hand in glove... much better than I even anticipated. They're able to share the ball handling duties and LeBron's pretty unique skillset as a combo forward/point is accentuated by Kyrie's shooting ability and off-ball game. They allow each other space and lanes to attack without getting in one anothers' way.

Whether Kyrie is technically a "superstar" given a very narrow definition is really beside the point...

Irving's efficiency has been insane this year: 60.6 TS%, 55.5 eFG%, 42% from three, 2.93 assist-to-turnover rate... and these numbers are trending upward.

If LeBron starts playing the way he did the last couple of years and Love keeps getting more comfortable, the team's efficiency numbers are going to be through the roof.

The problem with this team is never and was never going to be offense...

What will make or break this team (at least for now) is their ability to get stops in the half court of playoff games....and can they protect the paint without fouling.

It was never going to be whether or not Kyrie, Lebron, and Love and filler can get you to an absurdly good offense.

[NuggetsFan]

Kyrie established himself as a superstar in his rookie season.

Deal with it!

If you have a loose definition of a superstar than yeah. 18/5/4 while playing 54 games and being on a brutal team his rookie season. Personally for me I hesitate to call anybody who's yet to make even one playoff app a superstar, especially in a conference as weak as the East has been the past few years.

He had one season where he scored 22 points but besides that he's been a 20/6 guy on lottery teams :confusedshrug: now this season he's improved his defense and got his efficiency back but he's playing with LeBron James and Kevin Love. Irving is going to see far less defensive attention now obviously. He's averaging 21/5/3. He won ROY, and made All-Star games which is a glorified popularity contest. No NBA teams, no scoring titles, hasn't even made the playoffs in his career, and it's not even like he's put up "superstar" numbers really, outside of that one season maybe.

I'm actually coming around on Irving. He's made strides to improve his defense and he's meshed far quickly than I thought he would. He still lacks the court awareness/passing to be an elite PG IMO like Wall/Paul/Curry etc. and I don't think at 22 he could put a team on his back with his scoring and lead them to any success but he's looking like a great second option and in a few years who knows. Not a "superstar" yet tho to me.

[RedBlackAttack]

The problem with this team is never and was never going to be offense...

What will make or break this team (at least for now) is their ability to get stops in the half court of playoff games....and can they protect the paint without fouling.

It was never going to be whether or not Kyrie, Lebron, and Love and filler can get you to an absurdly good offense.
There are levels of "good" on offense and one of the only questions from an offensive standpoint that the team had (and rightfully so) was how LeBron and Kyrie were going to play off of one another, who was going to be handling the ball, etc. I never thought things would look this good this soon between those two and that's with LeBron seemingly sleepwalking half the time. The potential ceiling with LeBron playing at his best is even more absurd than I anticipated, only because of the way these guys fit together already with such little time to get acclimated.

Defense was obviously everyone's biggest question. It has been said over and over during the last couple weeks, but they've been surprisingly good recently on that end. When he is focused and locked in defensively, Irving is not a bad defender. In fact, he's been good for the most part this year and again, he's trending upward. Love is never going to be a great defender, but all he has to do is fit into the system, make his rotations and not lose his concentration. He's been better recently.

LeBron was surprisingly unfocused on that end early in the year, but he has come around recently too.

I'm not predicting anything at this point. The team is still figuring out how to play with one another on both ends. But, up to this point, I'd say the returns have been pretty encouraging for Cavs fans. They're only giving up 94 points per game over their last 7. That stretch includes games against San Antonio, two against Washington and Toronto prior to Derozen's injury.

This is still going to be a process but the improvement has been pretty drastic. If you looked at this team after the first three weeks of the season and compared it to the last two weeks, there has been a big leap.

[Bandito]

I agree, and he's been great. LeBron has been straight ass, but even sloppy LeBron is a great player. I still wouldn't call Kyrie a superstar, but I wouldn't call Love one either TBH. There are only really three true superstars in the league, LeBron, Kobe, and Durant. Melo is borderline, but I have a hard time calling someone who has never been to the finals a superstar.
If Kobe is one so is Wade.

[pmj]

Amazing that the Cavs are in this position. Three incredible talents on the same team longterm while the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics' respective futures remain cloudy at best. Has there been a shift away from the "prime" markets in the NBA or is this a unique situation that probably won't be seen again?

One thing is for sure... it's fun being a Cavs fan right now. It took a few weeks to work the kinks out but this team is good. And it's becoming fun to watch.

Amazing what happens when a top 5 all time player leaves, you tank and get 3 no. 1 overall picks in 4 years, along with other young talent, and then said all time great comes back with friends Yeah, pretty safe to say that's not happening again anytime soon.

[FatComputerNerd]

If you have a loose definition of a superstar than yeah. 18/5/4 while playing 54 games and being on a brutal team his rookie season. Personally for me I hesitate to call anybody who's yet to make even one playoff app a superstar, especially in a conference as weak as the East has been the past few years.

He had one season where he scored 22 points but besides that he's been a 20/6 guy on lottery teams :confusedshrug: now this season he's improved his defense and got his efficiency back but he's playing with LeBron James and Kevin Love. Irving is going to see far less defensive attention now obviously. He's averaging 21/5/3. He won ROY, and made All-Star games which is a glorified popularity contest. No NBA teams, no scoring titles, hasn't even made the playoffs in his career, and it's not even like he's put up "superstar" numbers really, outside of that one season maybe.

I'm actually coming around on Irving. He's made strides to improve his defense and he's meshed far quickly than I thought he would. He still lacks the court awareness/passing to be an elite PG IMO like Wall/Paul/Curry etc. and I don't think at 22 he could put a team on his back with his scoring and lead them to any success but he's looking like a great second option and in a few years who knows. Not a "superstar" yet tho to me.

Well you are right but he also won the 3-point shootout, and played amazingly in clutch situations his first few seasons.

He also has that Hollywood star-appeal, which is a factor. His flashiness with the ball and ridiculous handles (somewhat reminiscent of AI), the whole uncle drew thing, and his general overall charisma have added to his super-star status.

As for his court awareness, I don't see it being any worse than the guys you named, except maybe for CP3. He just happens to be a gifted shooter/scorer, and also plays next to a 7 APG, arguably GOAT point-forward. I don't think Curry for example would be averaging any more APG on this Cavs roster than Irving is.

[DMAVS41]

There are levels of "good" on offense and one of the only questions from an offensive standpoint that the team had (and rightfully so) was how LeBron and Kyrie were going to play off of one another, who was going to be handling the ball, etc. I never thought things would look this good this soon between those two and that's with LeBron seemingly sleepwalking half the time. The potential ceiling with LeBron playing at his best is even more absurd than I anticipated, only because of the way these guys fit together already with such little time to get acclimated.

Defense was obviously everyone's biggest question. It has been said over and over during the last couple weeks, but they've been surprisingly good recently on that end. When he is focused and locked in defensively, Irving is not a bad defender. In fact, he's been good for the most part this year and again, he's trending upward. Love is never going to be a great defender, but all he has to do is fit into the system, make his rotations and not lose his concentration. He's been better recently.

LeBron was surprisingly unfocused on that end early in the year, but he has come around recently too.

I'm not predicting anything at this point. The team is still figuring out how to play with one another on both ends. But, up to this point, I'd say the returns have been pretty encouraging for Cavs fans. They're only giving up 94 points per game over their last 7. That stretch includes games against San Antonio, two against Washington and Toronto prior to Derozen's injury.

This is still going to be a process but the improvement has been pretty drastic. If you looked at this team after the first three weeks of the season and compared it to the last two weeks, there has been a big leap.

Predicting this early is hard, but I'll go ahead and say they come up short this year because of the lack of defense at the guard and pg/c positions in terms of rim protection.

Raptors are better than I'd thought they'd be and the Bulls could be deadly in a series. And they might have to beat both of them...

I just don't see this Cavs team, unless there are new players added, going through that and then beating the West champs.

But next year, assuming they figure out a way to get another big in there to address the issues....They'll probably be my favorites. Stars win in the playoffs...and the Cavs have 3.