Post by Rog on Jul 22, 2017 20:15:14 GMT
The 87th nominee of the NBN Hall of Fame, Kevin Love, was a fantastic scorer and rebounder, but he had some serious flaws that held him back in a number of ways. Was he good enough to be a Hall of Famer or is he a picture boy for Hall of Very Good? Lets take a look.
Career Stats
31.9 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 2.5 TOPG on 44.7% from the field, 77.2% from the line, and 39.6% from three
Best Season
Wolves(2012) - 27.8 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 3.1 TOPG on 44.7% from the field, 77.3% from the line, and 34.1% from three
Career Highs
Points: 51
Rebounds: 27
Assists: 13
Steals: 6
Blocks: 6
Achievements
Championships: 0
Player of the Game: 119
Player of the Week: 0
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 692
Triple Doubles: 2
Accolades
2009 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2009 - Rookie Game MVP
2009 - All-Rookie Team
2010 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2010 - Rookie Game MVP
2012 - All-Star Game Participant
2012 - All-League Third Team
Arguments For Induction
- Kevin Love played in one All-Star game, also won two Rookie Game MVPs which is somewhat unprecedented, as well as being named to one All-League Third team.
- Love was one of the better post scorers in the league during his time, especially during the first 8 seasons of his career. His career average of 19 points per game would be really good for a power forward right now. But for 7 years he averaged over 20 points, including 4 years in a row over 22.9 points.
- He also shot the ball incredibly well for a stretch 4 who shot in volume. Career percentages of 45/77/40 is pretty fantastic. During his peak run he shot the ball just as well despite the increase in volume. You could count on him at almost any point in his career to get you 19 points on good percentages. He truly was a great scorer.
- Love was also an absolutely amazing rebounder. He averaged 11.3 RPG for his career, a good number. He averaged 11.8 or more in 8 seasons in a row as well as in six in a row. He was a great stretch 4 and a great rebounder, you could do worse in terms of Hall of Famers with these skills.
- Overall, its not a hard case to make. He could score as well as any power forward in league history minus the absolute best. He was a fantastic rebounder. This was a guy you really could put in his position, let him score and rebound as good as anyone else in the league. Hes the definition of a Hall of Famer.
Arguments Against Induction
- Serious, not enough awards. It get said over and over and over. But it never gets less true. Love needs more awards to be a Hall of Famer, no matter how good his statistics may or may not look.
- Seriously an awful defender, always was. And its not just down to his steals and blocks, which were terrible by the way that is an absolutely huge issue that can't be overlook as he was an under 2 stocks guy, but he always carried a B+ or A- defensive rating, he just wasn't good on that end of the court.
- Love may have been efficient and a great volume scorer and rebounder, but his turnovers really ruined his value in that area. He averaged 2.5 turnovers a game for his career and during those peak volume and efficiency he averaged near or over 3 turnovers.
- Was he an elite scorer, I mean really? Its his best case and he only had a few years where he was truly an elite scorer. That just isn't enough to hang his hat on in a Hall of Fame case.
- Overall, there is just too much for him to overcome to vote for him. His turnovers, his lack of defense, and most importantly his lack of awards really paint the picture that he wasn't as valuable as some of his other stats might look. You can overlook a lot for a truly elite scorer and rebounder, but he wasn't really either. Hes just not a Hall of Famer.
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully.
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25***
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