Six points, four rebounds, two assists, and 2-of-7 shooting in 13 minutes of play.
If Sunday’s was just any other game, it would have represented a major disappointment for Kevin Love. But the Cleveland Cavaliers’ tilt with the Toronto Raptors wasn’t even just a preseason game, but the first time Love has taken the floor since dislocating his shoulder in the first-round of the playoffs last April.
Underwhelming statistics aside, David Blatt told Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group that the star big man acquitted himself well after so much time away from competitive action.
“Kev has been down and out since Game 4 of the playoffs last year and he’s worked very, very hard to come back,” Cavaliers head coach David Blatt said. “He’s in good shape, he’s in good basketball shape too and now it’s time for him to get his rhythm and his game experience back.”
“I’m just happy he’s back,” Blatt said
Love didn’t get hot from beyond the arc or own the glass on Sunday like so many other occasions throughout his seven year career. What the 27-year-old did show off, though, is the aspect of his game that’s long been most underrated: passing.
Can you think of another big man not named Marc Gasol or Blake Griffin who could make these behind-the-back dishes in the same game?
https://giant.gfycat.com/MediumPopularAchillestang.gif
Love will be back to his old self soon enough, but that he’s capable of such creative, canny play in his first game since early spring is a helpful reminder of his immense worth to the Cavaliers. And needless to say, we can’t wait to watch him exhibit it when the regular season begins next week.
(via Northeast Ohio Media Group, h/t reddit)
