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NBA Rankings: Top 10 power forwards for 2014-15

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 11, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (left) reacts next to teammate center Ronny Turiaf (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves won in 2 overtimes 122-121. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kevin Love:

2013-14 Stat Line: 77 games, 36.3 MPG, 26.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, .457/.376/.821 shooting, 26.9 PER

You might be surprised to see Kevin Love grab the top spot, but you probably shouldn’t be. Even without a single playoff appearance in his six-year career and even with the somewhat messy way he’s about to end his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love is a smart pick for best power forward in the league in 2014-15. Why? Well, for one thing, his 26-12-4 stat line is something only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Bob McAdoo and Billy Cunningham have ever done.

For another, there’s what I like to call the LeBron James Effect. It’s no secret that LeBron makes his teammates better, and in the weak Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are virtually assured a playoff spot and home-court advantage in at least the first round. All that “Kevin Love has never played a meaningful game” crap will go out the window, and it’s about damn time considering the atrocities that Minnesota management has committed since drafting Love. Love’s never played with players anywhere near as talented as LeBron and Kyrie Irving before.

Between LeBron, Irving, Shawn Marion, Anderson Varejao and Dion Waiters, the Cavs have a ton of versatility and will be nearly impossible to stop offensively. Just how in the hell does one guard a LeBron-Love pick and pop? Simple answer: you don’t. Love had the third most rebounds in the NBA last season and finished with the third highest Player Efficiency Rating, the third most win shares and the fourth most points. His numbers may not be as great next season, but Love will take his game to the next level with LeBron and Kyrie’s help.

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