Fansided

NBA: 8 players to surprise in the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) rebounds in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) rebounds in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

F. Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Love. 8. player. 156.

Kevin Love will finally fulfill the promise of a Cleveland “Big Three” in his first playoff series.

Even as the Cavaliers found their groove in the second half of the season, the team still has experienced apparent cohesion issues with Kevin Love. While the reports of personality clashes off the court are largely media fueled and based on interpreting passive-aggression, the on-court product speaks for itself. After years as the primary option dominating the ball and stuffing the stat sheet in Minnesota, Love is struggling to find a role on the Cavs as a third option. This on court complacency has led folks to start believing rumors along the lines of Love considering moving on from the Cavs to play ice basketball in a Siberian gulag.

As appealing as Siberia sounds, those rumors will end with the team’s first round series against the Celtics. With Brandon Bass drawing back down low to provide essential rebounding and blocking for the Celtics, the Cavaliers will look to Love to draw Bass closer to the perimeter. If the Cavs get Love rolling, then Kyrie Irving can succeed in isolation situations. With LeBron James likely in full championship mode, the Celtics don’t stand a chance.

Whereas the other leading teams in the Eastern Conference stumbled pathetically into the playoffs, the Cavaliers cruised into postseason play. It helps that the team has finally found a solidified starting five through trades in Irving, J.R. Smith, James, Love and Timofey Mozgov, as well as a cadre of bench players who fulfill key roles without ruining the rhythm of the team.

But a large part of the success has been the synthesis of playing styles between Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. If the Cavs can properly incorporate Love into that team idea, then there is a better than good chance that the Cavs immediately become the favorites to win the NBA Finals.

Of course, the Cavaliers’ most likely opponent is the Golden State Warriors. If a Cavs-Dubs matchup occurs in the Finals, the presence of Love would be a major deciding factor.

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