Kevin Love ‘will Seriously Consider’ Opting Out, Eyes Return To L.a.

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by thkthebest, Nov 10, 2014.

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  1. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    KG was 19 his first season. KL was 20.

    Age 20 season
    KG 17.0, 8.0, 3.1 AS
    KL 11.1, 9.1, 1.0

    Age 21 season
    KG 18.5, 9.6, 4.2 AS
    KL 14.0, 11.0, 2.3

    Age 22 season
    KG 20.8, 10.4, 4.3, NBA 3rd
    KL 20.2, 15.2, 2.5 AS
    -You can call this a tossup if you want, but I'd take KG

    Age 23 season
    KG 22.9, 11.8, 5.0 AS, NBA 1st, NBA-D 1st
    KL 26.0, 13.3, 3.0 AS NBA 2nd
    -Again, I'd take KG - all-d first team

    Age 24 season
    KG 22.0, 11.4, 5.0 AS, NBA 1st, NBA-D 2nd
    KL 18.3, 14.0, 2.3

    Age 25 season
    KG 21.2, 12.1, 5.2, AS, NBA 1st, NBA-D 2nd
    KL 26.1, 12.5, 4.4, AS, NBA 2nd
    -You can take KL; I'll take KG again, but happy to call it a toss-up

    Age 26 season
    KG 23.0, 13.4, 6.0, NBA 1st, NBA-D 1st
    KL 16.5, 9.4, 2.4

    Honestly, I think KG's a significantly better player than KL through age 26.
     
    trodgers, Nov 29, 2014
    #101
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  2. southbaylakers72

    southbaylakers72 - Rookie -

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    I wonder if the teams they played on for MINNY had anything to do with that. KG had Stefan Marbury (when he had some talent), Love had Rubio? This is why this season might be a good one to see where things shake out. KLOVE has talent around him. Perhaps arguably as good on paper as when BOS big three came together. We shall see. I think KG came into the league at 19 but (DOB is May 19 so was 20 by end of Y1). Your Y20 season is his 21st BD isn't it? And the reason I make the point (your comparison of years by age was not lost on me), is years of NBA experience is more important than comparing by age IMHO. Most NBA players become who they are going to be by NBA Y6 regardless of age. The interesting thing (which to me makes them comparable) is that both had teams in which Wolves could not succeed and I think Garnett had better talent around him during his early NBA years than Love. Who wins a chip first will be determined in large part not based upon individual stats but how well/lucky they are to end up with a team of talent around them and what they do with that opportunity.
     
    southbaylakers72, Nov 29, 2014
    #102
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  3. southbaylakers72

    southbaylakers72 - Rookie -

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    southbaylakers72, Nov 29, 2014
    #103
  4. thkthebest

    thkthebest Administrator Staff Member

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    Garnett is a top 25 player of all-time. Love, while a great player, is nowhere near that.

    KG lead his team in all 5 major categories while also being one of the best defensive players in the game. You may make an argument that Love is better on offense (I don't think so), but Love has yet to be above average on defense.

    Edit: Also, one thing that I really wanted to happen was a KG/Kobe duo. That duo would have dominated the league with ease.
     
    thkthebest, Nov 29, 2014
    #104
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  5. southbaylakers72

    southbaylakers72 - Rookie -

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    Can't argue that a Kobe/KG duo would have been amazing to see. Both guys have an insatiable drive to win and be the best that no one can argue with. Both have 'heart' which is what wins championships (sorry, Rudy T. that came before your quote). Similar to your hypothetical, I think many will wonder 'what might have been' if Kobe/Love would have played together. I am not making any arguments here. I think this year will speak volumes for Love and if he 'chokes' on his opportunity, you never know what might happen.

    Interesting story with shot chart:

    http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/11/lebron_james_said_if_kevin_lov.html

    How is Chris Bosh playing in the post now that Lebron is gone?
     
    southbaylakers72, Nov 29, 2014
    #105
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