After Kelly Olynyk went Bob Backlund on Kevin Love we all knew Cleveland should be hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. From reports out here the worst has arrived as Love is expecting to be out the rest of the playoffs because a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Because of the sketchy reports I think the Cavs are trying to leave a small window open for his return next series, but if I was a betting man I would put funds on him staying on the sideline with a suit and tie.
Love has kind of been the odd man out all season with the Cavs seeing that he’s gone from the 1st to the 3rd option. His time in Cleveland has been weird, it seems Coach LeBron, I mean Blatt just wants to use Love as a jump shooter mainly behind the three point line. I barely see him used in post-up plays or pick n rolls with Irving or James which would help the whole team get better looks on occasion. During his first playoff appearance he had been playing very solid before the injury and moving forward the man the Cavs haven’t been using correctly all season will not be available when the Cavs need him most.
The Cavs are staring at a matchup with the Chicago Bulls (if they can take care of the Milwaukee Bucks which have surprisingly won the last two games) in the face and the skill set of Kevin Love would take one of their big men from under the rim (either Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson). That piece would be a huge factor for the Cavs to knock out the Bulls. With Tristan Thompson logging most of the minutes in Love’s absence the Bulls bigs will feel right at home facing a player who won’t be able to take them out of their comfort zone.
The Cavs have options, but they won’t be as effective as Love. They can play LeBron at the 4 occasionally even though he is noted at not liking playing the 4 because of the physical toll it takes on him, Shawn Marion can get dusted off for an occasional few minutes and maybe let James Jones log some minutes at the 4 he can stretch the defense, but in turn will get worked a like a temp service on defense himself. These are the options for the Cavs to soften the blow, I think the LeBron playing a lot of 4 option is the best, but we will see what Coach LeBron, cough I mean Blatt does.
Where is the Love in Cleveland? It seemed like everything was going smoothly for the team in Northeast Ohio.
