For those doubting Love's impact on the Celts, just think of it this way -- he could play in the EXACT SAME ROLE that Sullinger has right now, play 30-32 minutes a game, and put up 18-20 points on a regular basis, without changing the offense much at all.
And when the games get tight and Isaiah doesn't have it going, you give it to Love at the top of the key or on the left elbow and let him go to work.
I understand what you're saying, and I don't doubt that Love is an upgrade over our current front line. I don't think anybody can deny that.
My main concern is pretty much exactly what you have said above - that Love would play pretty much the
exact same role as Sulllinger, and that the only significant thing we'd be gaining above Sullinger is an improved three point shot.
If you look at Sully's Per 36 numbers this year and compare them to Love's Per 36 numbers, they are pretty darn close. Love is +2 on scoring, but Sully is shoots a higher percentage (as scary as that is to say) and is rebounding at a slightly better rate. Sully is way up on assists, and is a significant better defensive player (IMHO) than Love is.
Playing time is also a moot point since Sully averaged just under 28 MPG for the previous two seasons, and the only reason his minutes are down this year is because we have a logjam up front.
In his old days Love had two big edges over Sully - three point shooting, and his ability to draw fouls at an elite rate. Now that Love is drawing fouls at a worse rate than Sully, that leaves three point shooting as the ONLY significant advantage. It's a good thing to have and worthy of an upgrade, but only if the cost is reasonable.
If we got rid of some of the 'competition' in the front court and had Sully back up to playing 28 MPG again, then he'd be giving us about 85% - 90% of what Love would give us without the need for us to tie ourselves up with a $110m contract, and without the need for us to give up any core players or any Nets picks.
Personally, I think we are better off with:
* Sully
* 2016 Brooklyn Pick
* The cap space to sign two max (or near max) free agents
Than we are with:
* Love
I understand why other people are so eager for the deal. People think that Love's numbers have only dropped because of his role change in Cleveland, and that bringing him to Boston in a key role will see him re-emerge as a superstar again.
But that's all conjecture, and there is no evidence to suggest that will happen. If we give up the 2016 Nets pick AND a core player or two for Love, and he
doesn't regain his old form and looks just as bad here as he does in Cleveland now...then what?
Then we will be the third team in four years trying to trade Kevin Love, every team in the NBA will know that he is no longer a superstar, he will become the next 'Amare Stoudemire' contract, and we will suffer the fate that the Knicks suffered for how many years up until now?
Maybe the best does happen. Maybe we trade, and Love does fit well here, and he does become a star again, and he gains some maturity under Brad Stevens and us deep in the playoffs, and the Brooklyn pick ends up falling 5th or 6th.
But the risk...just so much risk. I just feel like the chance of it blowing up in our faces exceeds the chance of it succeeding something like 5:1.
Topic: C's , Cavs, Pelican 3 team deal in works?(Rumor) UPDATES on pg 1 (Read 42939 times)