1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Grantland] On Kevin Love and the Decline of the Power Forward

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by J.R., Mar 30, 2015.

  1. J.R.

    J.R. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    106,788
    Likes Received:
    154,648
    Interesting read on the power forward [role] & ever increasing 3-point shooting.

    We gonna have post players - power forwards and centers - in the next 5, 10, 15 years? Or just 6'10 shooting guards? ; )

    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p>The Evolution of Kevin Love: from upstart PF to the world's most overqualified spot-up guy: <a href="http://t.co/ilZhRuntKr">http://t.co/ilZhRuntKr</a> </p>&mdash; Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/582604284216279040">March 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
    <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

     
    #1 J.R., Mar 30, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015
  2. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2002
    Messages:
    35,060
    Likes Received:
    23,967
    There has to be smart ways to utilize the inside game of a guy like Love.

    The analyitic question is, what is the efficiency of Love's inside game compared to his 3pt shooting? And it shouldn't just be about Love. It should be about the whole offense. Does a big man have to be shooting 3s in order to spread the floor? Are there other ways to open up the lane and retain the low post game?

    It is not surprising that sports evolve. Look at the NFL. 40 years ago, only the Cowboys consistently used the Shotgun formation, and only on obviously passing situation. Now almost every team uses it exclusively on downs that are not obviously a running situation.
     
  3. basketballholic

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2013
    Messages:
    17,516
    Likes Received:
    4,170
    1. Quit calling crap charging fouls for body contact in the low blocks. In the yesteryear era of great bigs offensive-initiated contact in the low blocks was a non-call or a defensive foul. The exception of course being arm extended push offs by the offensive player.

    2. Go back to 3 to make 2 free throws. This evens out the advantage perimeter players now have with the elimination of hand contact. And incentiveses offensive paint and rim action.

    3. Clean up the scrumming in the paint by calling loose ball fouls on rebounders who use both hands to lock up an opposing player. This will give the advantage to players who use positioning and leverage the best in rebounding space.
     
  4. Pass 1st shoot 2nd

    Pass 1st shoot 2nd Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 1999
    Messages:
    1,394
    Likes Received:
    30
    Just play 80s to 90s hard-nosed, man-to-man defense, bring back illegal defense calls, and kill James Harden when he drives into the paint :rolleyes:
     
  5. RMGEEGEE

    RMGEEGEE Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,780
    Likes Received:
    136
    It would be ineffective to keep Love in the post when you have players like Irving and Lebron who are incredible drivers and finishers at the basket.
     
  6. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 1999
    Messages:
    36,740
    Likes Received:
    13,133
    I've seen Kobe attack with Shaq in the post. I've seen Parker and Manu attack with a dominant, younger Tim Duncan in the post. I'm seeing Memphis doing pretty well right now without using post players to jack 3's.
     
  7. mvpcrossxover

    mvpcrossxover Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    Messages:
    22,168
    Likes Received:
    8,275
    DoMo is here to change the game. :)

    Or bring it back.
     
  8. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2003
    Messages:
    58,732
    Likes Received:
    36,182
    Why are we nostalgic for the days when Kevin Love was a pounding inside presence for 15 and 17 win Kurt rambis-led T-wolves teams?
     
  9. bmd

    bmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,746
    Likes Received:
    3,514
    The elimination of hand contact is evened out by getting rid of the illegal defense rules. Now players can pack the paint and don't have to stick on their man the whole time.
     
  10. RMGEEGEE

    RMGEEGEE Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,780
    Likes Received:
    136
    Shaq
    Duncan
    Z-Bo
    Gasol
    Love

    Only one of the above can shoot 3's.
     
  11. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2002
    Messages:
    34,620
    Likes Received:
    33,563
    Sorry but I actually love the idea of each team deciding whether or not their home floor will have a 3-point line.

    Coach, GM, and marketing people would fall into brutal arguments though. LOL.

    Agree with the article that I'd hate to see Anthony Davis spotting up all game long. Sounds awful.
     
  12. marky :)

    marky :) Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2009
    Messages:
    4,563
    Likes Received:
    4,100
    This whole article remind me of Rasheed Wallace for some reason.
     
  13. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 1999
    Messages:
    62,498
    Likes Received:
    56,094
    The 00-Naughts era was the era of PFs -- unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Why write an article about how something reached its mountain top and is having its inevitable slide back down to normalcy.
     
  14. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2003
    Messages:
    58,732
    Likes Received:
    36,182
    To stoke paranoia about the Tyreke Evans drive & kick offense that NO is implementing next season?
     
  15. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    61,253
    Likes Received:
    28,757
    Inconsistant 3 second rules kill the pain alot
    Defensive and offensive 3 second calls

    Rocket River
     
  16. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2000
    Messages:
    25,260
    Likes Received:
    12,960
    There's no reason Kevin Love can't/shouldn't have a better mix of inside out game. It is coaching. If a coach says stop shooting so many threes then he stops. He shoots too many threes. Not that he should shoot zero.. But he shoots too many.

    Last year, this year. It's a banger getting tired of hanging. That's what she said.

    This big difference today is that a great PF I think has to at least have a 3 point game. But it's the balancing act that needs to be perfected.

    The Rockets with a Kevin Love that only takes 2-3 threes a game would be amazing offensively.

    Loves real problem is his defense.
     
  17. KDJ3

    KDJ3 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    Messages:
    1,238
    Likes Received:
    80
    Well...unless he's Josh Smith :p
     
  18. KDJ3

    KDJ3 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    Messages:
    1,238
    Likes Received:
    80
    It sounds very intriguing. I don't know that it would eliminate the "problem", but it would alleviate it and would make for entertaining strategy.

    No one wants to see AD spotting up all game. His progression has been fun to watch.
     
  19. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    61,253
    Likes Received:
    28,757
    Question: Is it just 'easier' to hang around the three point line than bang down low?

    Less wear and tear.
    Less tiring
    Require more 'touch and shot' than muscle and stamina

    Rocket River
     
  20. Spacemoth

    Spacemoth Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2007
    Messages:
    9,835
    Likes Received:
    4,484
    I contend that most of how the NBA game changes is dependent on how the NBA officiates the game. If they want the post game to survive, they need to protect it with the whistle, and against the euro flopping which has become so popular of late.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now