4. Which Kevin Love will we see this season?
The Cavs are going to be sooooooooo bad on defense, you guys. Who is the best defender on Cleveland’s roster? David Nwaba? Tristan Thompson? George Hill if you had a time machine to a season when he cared?
Kevin Love’s offensive performance will be the bellwether of the Cavs’ season. If he can somehow pull out a vintage Love performance for a whole season without getting injured, then Cleveland could maybe possibly vie for the eighth seed in the East. Anything less than that, however, and this team is going to be downright bad.
Downright bad probably wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for a team without much in the way of young talent. Collin Sexton is exciting, but even if he reaches his ceiling, he’ll need help to establish a strong NBA offense. Cedi Osman lacks star potential despite his beloved following among Cavs Twitter. Rodney Hood and Jordan Clarkson are Rodney Hood and Jordan Clarkson. The Cavs keep their first-round pick if it’s in the top 10, but otherwise it goes to Atlanta.
It’s possible to imagine a Cleveland offense that’s good for stretches at least. Love at the elbow with four shooters — Hill, JR Smith, Kyle Korver and Channing Frye? — around him could be dangerous. The only problem is how egregiously awful that same lineup would be on the other end. They would give up all of the points. All of them.
It’s definitely possible that Kevin Love could turn back the clock this season. Whether that will matter or not for Cleveland’s playoff hopes is another question entirely.