Al Jefferson and Kevin Love

Whenever a great team forms, announcers tend to say things like “everyone’s going to have to deal with this team for years to come”. Well, with a more seasoned Kevin Love, and an lighter Al Jefferson, “everyone’s going to have to deal with Kevin Love and Al Jefferson for years to come”.

Al Jefferson averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds last season, while Kevin Love averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds last season. Total, they combined for 34 points, and 20 rebounds on average last season.

Pau Gasol averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds. Andrew Bynum played the same number of games Al Jefferson played, and the same for Kevin Love. Bynum and Gasol averaged 33 points and 17 rebounds. Al Jefferson and Kevin Love have them beat by 1 point and 3 rebounds, who are 2 inches shorter than both Bynum and Gasol.

How?

They aren’t the most athletic nor the most seasoned, but you can make an assumption that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love make the smartest front court in the NBA.

Kevin Love is a robot PF, as in he does everything a PF is supposed to do. He eats up space like a black hole, which was the reason he was 2nd in offensive rebounds last season in only 25 MPG, only trailing Dwight Howard.  He shoots the ball from mid range, and has been known to have a developing stroke from the 3-point line. Although undersized, Kevin Love does not get many blocks, but he’s gives a constant effort on the defensive end.

Kevin Love moves extremely well without the ball, and is arguably the best pick and roll big man in the NBA. Kevin Love has an incredible ability to throw outlet passes with the accuracy of a quarterback throwing a football. Kevin Love has an immense skill set, that has him as a heavy favorite for Team USA.

Al Jefferson also has a unique skill set. Although undersized, he averaged 1.5 blocks last season, to compliment his 23 points and 11 rebounds. Al Jefferson arguably has the quickest feet for a big man, while  weighing 280+ pounds. Now that he’s slimmed down 30+ pounds, he’s bound to be quicker, and according to him, he’ll be stronger due to losing fat, and building muscle.

Al Jefferson has a very good mid range game, which makes him incredibly hard to defend on the low block. Al Jefferson’s inside game is truly remarkable, often getting hookshots over taller defenders with ease. Al Jefferson has the most convincing pump fake by a big man you could ever see, which allows him to get to the basket when the defender makes the wrong move.

Combined, they are undersized yes, but very dangereous. Very underrated front court, and in a triangle offense, Kevin Love should excel greatly due to his unique skill set.

Is it fair to call Al Jefferson and Kevin Love “alpha mega”? Maybe, maybe not. I know that if I were a big man, I’d rather not defend either one of them, but both of them? I think I just got injured.

Thanks for reading!

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 12:49 am and is filed under Most Recommended, News Headlines, Right Column. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.