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| Love still trying to find rhythm in Cavs offense. Photo Credit: USA Today Sports |
Kevin Love has had trouble finding his rhythm and place in this Cavaliers offense so far this season. He continues to try and find a solution to this problem.
By: Michael Hanley
This transition has been a steep learning curve for the former Minnesota Timberwolve. For so many years, he was accustomed to being "the guy" on the Timberwolves team, the one everyone looked to take a game over and close them out. He got as many shots up as he wanted since the offense was built around him and his high quality skills in the post and ability to knockdown shots when he stepped back and showcased his jumper.
Love never had to worry about sharing the spotlight with anyone else in Minnesota as he was the face of the franchise and was the draw for Timberwolves fans to come out and watch a game despite the team not being very good at all record wise.
That reality that Love lived in during his time in Minnesota has completely been turned upside down as he is now part of a big three, along with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, who are now expected to deliver on high expectations this season.
This newly formed trio was not going to just come in and have success from day one, this was going to be a process that has some bumps in the road before they figure out how to play as a group and get going. This is where the Cavs are now and their are no easy answers for their troubles right now.
Love is still trying to learn how to be as efficient and effective in this offense as he can possibly be. It is a constant experiment for himself game in and game out to see just how aggressive he can be trying to find his own shots while at the same time, wondering when to take a backseat and let James, Irving and others get shots up and carry the scoring load. Their is no timetable as to when that balancing act will be figured out by Love but it will need continued work and more games playing with both guys on the floor.
Here is Love commentating further on his quest to find his role within this offense:
"It's come to a point where I'm just trying to find myself in this offense," Love said after his lowest scoring output this season. "It's almost related to when you come into the league; usually the guys that dominate the ball so much tend to learn a lot quicker than a guy like myself, a big man. So, I'm just trying to find different spots in the offense.
"I'll just say we're 10 games in, we're looking at different stuff. I need to find myself. I think everybody knew coming in that we'd have to sacrifice, but at some point we're going to need some low-post scoring and some outside shooting."
"Both ends of the floor, I think I need to step up, but as far as getting into a rhythm, it's been tough," Love said.
What has been surprising is Love's lack of shooting touch so far this season. To this date, he is shooting a cold 39% overall from the floor, very low number for what has been a very consistently great shooter in him through his career.
Now it is only three weeks into the season and their will be ebbs and flows for all players within the season but this is something to keep an eye on moving forward especially coupling it with trying to find a chemistry and rhythm with his new teammates. You would figure that he will find his groove and will raise his production and shooting percentage number as the season goes deeper.
This is not just a Kevin Love problem, this is an overall team problem for Cleveland. They still must figure out their identity on defense as it has been very inconsistent this season. With the size and length they have on the roster, no reason why they cannot round into form and be a defensive unit that is hard to score on at a consistent rate.
If they can get that fixed, then the offense will come after and will lock in. This early season struggle for all of them will serve them well as they can more familiar with how to fit their own games within the offense and how to gel as a unit.
There is still 72 games for them to play, plenty of games and time left for them to become the team they envisioned when Love, James and Irving came together.
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