On Dan Patrick show just now, Dan asks Reggie if he would take Love or Howard to start a team right now. Reggie says he would take Love in today's game, but would have taken Howard during the time when he played. Then Dan asks if Love is a top 10, even top 5 player in the league. Miller says top 10, but can't be top 5 because he's not the best player at his position--that would be Lamarcus Aldridge, who he'd take over both Love or Howard. Dan is shocked ("You would?!"). Miller elaborates, explaining how Aldridge has both an effective back to the basket game and a strong face up game, something Love can't boast. Dan still attempts to argue for StatLove, citing superior scoring and rebounding numbers, but Reggie quickly shuts him down, pointing out that Aldridge's versatility will serve him well in the playoffs.
And it's the way Aldridge gets his. There is nothing forced and can hit you from anywhere on the court. Teams don't have to double Love and most the time, Love is getting his with various picks to get him open. He plays like a SG offensively, not a PF. There is probably 10% of his points are coming from ISO plays. Love is a tremendous defensive rebounder, but I wonder if his lack of defense has that "Hickson-like" type rebounding; leaving his man without a defend and working towards getting to rebounding position.
Heard that this morning. Good stuff! Very happy that Reggie is back as being a regular guest on the DP Show! Podcasts: http://www.danpatrick.com/
I don't see how Howard's in the equation. LMA vs. Love is an argument on style. If you want a versatile big who can make a shot from everywhere on the floor (except the 3pt line) and you want the "historical" big man, LMA's the man. If you want to build an offense around your best player's strengths, regardless of what they are, there's an argument to be made that Love would probably be the one. And it is really almost all about offense, because while Love's D sucks, it's not as if anyone is saying LMA's the next coming of Bill Russell.
Except the 3pt line. It's pretty tough to assign 2 guys to double a 3pt shooter, not because they don't think he can't drop 45 on them. Someone with some coaching experience let me know--is it that tough to teach a big guy who's a good shooter some post moves? Or is Love basically what LMA was the last 2 years, someone who can go inside but doesn't want to/coach plans for him not to?
I think Love has the ability to be a post presence. Anyone that can beast on the boards, has the ability to use footwork. Also, Love seems like a smart guy, so teaching him shouldn't be a problem. The main issue is defense. He is absolutely horrible. I'm even thinking he's worse than Hickson was. The guy doesn't give a rats ass about defending his man, so he can get position to grab the rebound. Smart coaches will be able to exploit this by running double screens and his man will always be in a position to score.
LaMarcus has great range and touch. I wouldnt be shocked if he could easily develop a solid 3 pt shot.
LMA already has a 3pt shot. He just doesn't take it, ever. I guess he draws his line at turnaround fadeaways
Transcription: (DP: Dan Patrick Reggie: Reggie Miller) http://www.danpatrick.com/2013/12/23/reggie-miller-would-start-team-with-k-love-over-howard/ The question: Who would you start a team with, Kevin Love or Dwight Howard? Players know plays. LeBron, R. Miller, Kerr... any player who's being honest will tell you the same thing. LaMarcus Aldrige is the best PF in the game of basketball right now. The only reason he's getting more respect this season is because Portland is winning. Stat Homers will take Love, and that's ok with me. I'll go with the proven winner. Which bring up the question, if Skip Bayless can be so high on a guy like Tim Tebow because "All he does is win", where is his love for Adridge? Adridge has more skill at his craft in his pinky than Tebow has in his entire body. Oh well.
Fundamentally, he is better than Howard. He is a better athlete than Love, so if you are taken into consideration athleticism he may squeak by Love. Love is the better fundamentally though. But LA isn't that far behind.
