NBA News: Kevin Love Just Going Along With Game Plan, Insists He Is Not A ‘Stretch Four’

Cleveland Cavaliers starting power forward Kevin Love has been making most of his offence on the three point line. In fact, in his last seven games, the former three point shooting champion is launching more than 8 attempts per game from beyond the arc, making a somewhat league average mark of 36%.

The past two games showed more evidence of the same as the versatile player was relegated to a spot up shooter. In Friday loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks, Love scored 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the three point line while in the second game of the back-to-back, Love made 13 points on just 3-of-6 shooting with all three of his baskets converted from beyond the arc. The way the team has utilized the former Minnesota Timberwolves player has led many to question if he is now being boxed into the stretch-four role, a notion Love vehemently disputes.

"I heard some people calling me that but I know I'm not a stretch-four," Love told Cleveland.com. "I'm a post player who can shoot. Right now I'm just doing what I'm called to do. For good, bad or indifferent, I'm playing my role and doing what's asked of me. Tonight, I stayed out on the perimeter."

The evolution from first option in the offence to the third choice in set plays is understandable for Love and he relays that he is just following what is in the game plan. Former LeBron James teammate and Miami heat forward Chris Bosh warned Love of his expected diminished role and a revamped look once he joins the new Big Three of James and Kyrie Irving. The 26-year-old player has been mostly relegated to the same role Bosh took during the Heat’s championship run and has looked lost on offence.

The 1-4 flat sets and the repeated isolation plays for James and Irving has driven Love to the corners awaiting for the pass from a drive or a missed rotation that frees him up for a shot. This is in stark contrast to the high post offence he has been accustomed to during his time with the Timberwolves. It is unclear if the under-utilization of Love in the offensive schemes of David Blatt will force him to pursue free agency in the summer and altogether leave the Cavaliers. After all, there are a plenty of teams looking to court the big man such as the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks among a slew of other interested ball clubs.

For concerns on this story, contact the author at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.