Fansided

30 biggest questions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By Hunter Kuffel

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors holds up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors holds up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
28 of 31
Next
NBA Season
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 2: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during a pre-season game on October 2, 2018 at the TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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.