How much better is Kevin Love than David Lee?

[BleedGreen1989]

Some may call me crazy, but just for fun...

David Lee

18.2 points
9.3 rebounds
52% FG
19.1 PER
57% TS
111 Offensive rating
103 Defensive rating
4.1 Offensive win shares
3.5 Defensive win shares
7.6 Total win shares


Kevin Love

26.1 Points
12.5 Rebounds
46% FG
26.9 PER
59% TS
120 Offenisve rating
104 Defensive rating
10.6 Offensive win shares
3.7 Defensive win shares
14.3 Total win shares

Really not a trick question, but something I thought was fun for discussion regarding GS/MIN situation.

Is the gap worth Klay Thompsan?

[knuckleballer]

a lot and Lee isn't bad

[fairweatherfan]

Lee is kind of a poor man's Love - he's good at a lot of the same things (3 pters being a glaring exception) but is worse at basically every one of those things.  Has a lot of the same weaknesses too.

[D.o.s.]

People think Kevin Love is a bad defender (and he is), but he might as well be Dikembe compared to David Lee.

[BleedGreen1989]

Lee is kind of a poor man's Love - he's good at a lot of the same things (3 pters being a glaring exception) but is worse at basically every one of those things.  Has a lot of the same weaknesses too.

Yeah, the 3's are a glaring difference.

Love is obviously the superior player but I'm wondering the same thing I think the GS front office is, and that is "is the gap between the two worth Klay Thompsan?"

[jambr380]

I have often thought the same thing. I also believe that the numbers are a bit misleading. People criticize Green and Bradley for being the primary scorers for a bad team, but what is Love doing? Lee plays with Curry, Thompson, Iggy, and Bogut and still manages to put up almost 20 ppg on a solid mid-range playoff team in the West. Let's also not forget that Lee was third team All-NBA last year...yes, it's true.

I obviously realize that Love is the better player, but there isn't such a huge differential. The fact that people think Lee's contract is an albatross is kind of laughable. He is a very productive player and does a lot of things well. He isn't the type to lead your team to a championship, but he can be a very valuable piece.

[Sketch5]

Lee's good, but he's been playing with a better team, and players that helps those numbers a bit. He's also on the down side of his prime.

Where Love is entering his prime, and has played with a crappier team, which can either be better for your numbers, or hurt your numbers, because teams can guard you easier, and your asked to do more.

It's hard to say who is 100% better. I'd give the edge to Love because of his age, and how bad his teams have been. 

I would have really like Lee when KG was here, I think he would have excelled here.

[BleedGreen1989]

People think Kevin Love is a bad defender (and he is), but he might as well be Dikembe compared to David Lee.

Really don't think there's a major difference in their defensive impact. (Or lack of said "defensive impact")

[GreenWarrior]

"How much better is Kevin Love than David Lee? "

this is an actual question?

[Fafnir]

People think Kevin Love is a bad defender (and he is), but he might as well be Dikembe compared to David Lee.

Lee's just bad at positioning himself to defend, not very strong, nor is he quick either.

Jackson's work making that team a good defense squad with Curry/Lee to hide was very impressive.

[Fafnir]

"How much better is Kevin Love than David Lee? "

this is an actual question?

Yes it is in fact a question.

[2short]

a lot and Lee isn't bad

Lee is good but to me Sully will be at his level easily with a healthy season playing his true position.  12.5 rebounds is big also, a lot of guys can average 9/10 a game but 12 and up is elite rebounding (for this era    )
So i'd love to have lee on team but would LOVE to have LOVE on the team.  He's the next level up

[D.o.s.]

People think Kevin Love is a bad defender (and he is), but he might as well be Dikembe compared to David Lee.

Really don't think there's a major difference in their defensive impact. (Or lack of said "defensive impact")

You can use the eye test, you can look at any metric you want, but The Golden Gate Bridge To The Basket is real

[colincb]

Love's PER is far superior as is his defense and he's a lot younger. I prefer mysnergysports stats to the off/def +/- ratings

mysynergsports.com has them ranked as follows in points per possession


Offense
Love 32nd.
Lee 87th

Defense
Love 108th
Lee 190th

Roughly 450 players rated and 150-200 players as starters and 6th men.

[BleedGreen1989]

People think Kevin Love is a bad defender (and he is), but he might as well be Dikembe compared to David Lee.

Really don't think there's a major difference in their defensive impact. (Or lack of said "defensive impact")

You can use the eye test, you can look at any metric you want, but The Golden Gate Bridge To The Hoops is real

Well I've already shared defensive rating and DWS.

Rim protection?

David Lee-49.3% allowed while within 5ft of opponent and within 5ft of basket
Kevin Love-57.4%  allowed while within 5ft of opponent and within 5ft of basket

Sure, part of the is Lee next to Bogut, but I don't get entirely what you're trying to paint...