Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue decided to go with Kevin Love at the center position in Monday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. It’s a role the former UCLA stand-out is becoming increasingly familiar with, and one in which he continues to perform exceedingly well.
Love turned in another great score card on Monday, notching 31 points on 9-25 shooting from the field (6-11 from beyond the arc), 18 rebounds (season-high), and two steals in 36 minutes of action.
Cavs superstar LeBron James spoke to reporters after Monday’s game with regards to Love’s recent play at center.
“I love it,” James told Joe Vardon of cleveland.com following the Cavs’ Christmas Day match-up against the Warriors. “It’s been the reason why we’ve been playing so great ball over the last couple months. So, I hope he wants to stay there. You know Kev, he’s talked about wanting to go back to the power forward position but, we’re winning and he’s been playing big time ball so hopefully he wants to stay at center.”
James is right on the money when he says the Cavs play well with Love at center. Despite Monday’s loss, the Cavs have managed to walk away as winners in 19 of their last 22 games, which is quite a feat, considering the amount of injuries the team has dealt with through the early stages of this season. Remember, Tristan Thompson’s calf injury was the reason for Love’s position shift in the first place.
Monday’s game marked Love’s first time playing exclusively at center against the Warriors. All things considered, he did a fine job. During his post-game media availability, the 6-10 rebounding machine admitted he might be better off playing the five against Golden State.
“Yeah, I think there is something to be said for me playing the 5 and logging most of the minutes there,” Love told cleveland.com. “I think we match up better, maybe, but it’s just so hard to say without Steph (Curry) being on the floor.”
Hoops fans won’t have to wait long for a re-match, as the Cavs and Warriors are slated to meet in Cleveland on January 15. We’ll just have to wait and see if Love is still playing at center.