Love, Howard, or Griffin?

[jgod213]

Ok so i threw these men onto this list to get a pulse for who people would like to build around, i know there are other honerable mentions like Cousins/Bogut/Nene/ect but my initial intent was to get a discussion going around Kevin Love.

I'm not sure i've ever seen an athlete who is so [dang] good, who just does not really get the publicity he deserves.

This man now has 5 career 30/20 games, which is 3 more than D12.  I had thought his rebounding #'s might slip abit after dropping 10 pounds, but he's still hitting the glass with ferocity.  Also not to be overlooked is his ability to get to the line (19 for 24).  Oh and that 30-20 games came against Andrew Bogut, a man who needs no introduction himself.

Went 0/4 from 3 last night, but man does that stroke look great.  I know a lot of people will pile on the "he gets all the looks for a bad team" arguement, but i just don't buy that.

23 years old.  +11 net production on a terrible team last year. 37% from 3.  82% from the line. 7 offensive rebounds per game last year! This man is maybe the most well rounded offensive player in the NBA.

The only concern is - is his middle-of-the-pack defense what keeps him from being in the "Dwight Howard zone?"  Along those lines, will he develope enough of a presence to be a respected defender?

Lastly, we know the wolves stink - can Love be a #1 option on a title contender? Even right now my vote is a yes. What are your thoughts?

[KCattheStripe]

I'm not sure Griffin's defense ever gets as good as Howard's.

[RebusRankin]

Griffin for me. Not sure Love is a #1 guy. Fun to watch though. If Kahn manages it well, he, Rubio and Williams could form a very nice core in Minny.

[jgod213]

I'm not sure Griffin's defense ever gets as good as Howard's.

Griffin's or Love's? Either way i agree that they never will.  

I guess the results of this poll will probably show that people value a defensive anchor above all else, but i guess what we would have to forecast is weather Love will progress enough defensivly (and the supposed stagnation of Howard's offensive game) to make this a viable arguement.

[Trifecta]

I picked Dwight Howard, but I think Love is going to be an excellent player if he isn't already. I'd rather build around Howard because of his all-world defense. Love will never be comparable on defense and his ceiling offensively isn't high enough to make up the difference.

edit: Forgot about Griffin. I think he can become an excellent defensive player but he will never be at the level of Dwight. Therefore making Howard more valuable. I think Griffin is overrated, he relies too much on his athleticism. But I guess that is expected being as young as he is.

[snively]

Howard.  Don't see any of those players reaching his level of defensive dominance in that time frame.

[Overrated]

Howard, easily. A big man like him isn't easy to come by these days, and he is so dominant (defensively at least).

[Lord of Mikawa]

Defensively: Howard
All around: Kevin Love

[BballTim]

I'm not sure Griffin's defense ever gets as good as Howard's.

  I'm willing to be neither of them will ever approach his level of defending.

[ManUp]

Howard, he's the best low poster player in the game right now period. He put up 30/15 on 60% shooting last year in the play-offs. His offense is pretty varied right now and anyone who says different either hasn't watched him recently or has some sort of bias. He's a goofball, but there isn't another player today I'd take over him to build around.

[jgod213]

I'm not sure Griffin's defense ever gets as good as Howard's.

  I'm willing to be neither of them will ever approach his level of defending.

I guess a follow up question would be, are Howard's defensive abilities so far and away untouchable that, 10 times out of 10, you take whatever he gives you offensively as long as he provides his defense?

If Love was to develope the defensive abilities of, say, a nick collison, is that enough to make it a tougher call, or would he have to reach the levels of a bogut/noah? the latter two of whom i'm not sure he has the size to be.

[pearljammer10]

Howard without question. Griffin might be flashier and a better scorer, Love is a hustle guy and can shoot and pass pretty well... But if you are putting together a contending team, Howard is a true true center. And this league is lacking that spot. I go Howard without hesitation.

[BballTim]

I'm not sure Griffin's defense ever gets as good as Howard's.

  I'm willing to be neither of them will ever approach his level of defending.

I guess a follow up question would be, are Howard's defensive abilities so far and away untouchable that, 10 times out of 10, you take whatever he gives you offensively as long as he provides his defense?

If Love was to develope the defensive abilities of, say, a nick collison, is that enough to make it a tougher call, or would he have to reach the levels of a bogut/noah? the latter two of whom i'm not sure he has the size to be.

  I'm aware of Howard's offensive limitations, but keep in mind that he scores 20+ points a game. It's not like comparing Love to Ben Wallace or Dikembe.

[wdleehi]

Howard.  He is the best big man now.  He will be the best big man in three years. 

[PosImpos]

Dwight Howard all the way.  Best center in the league and likely will be for a long time.

I really like Kevin Love, but he's not a player to build around.  He's the best complementary player in the league.  He puts up 20-10 without taking anything away from anyone else.  That's great, but not a player who's going to take over and carry you to wins.

As for Blake, he's great, but I'll take a great center over a great PF any time.