Hoops Habit
Fansided

The NBA’s 10 Most Criminally Underrated Stars

By Gerald Bourguet

January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
NBA
Dec 8, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) dunks in the second quarter against Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Kevin Love

2015-16 Statistics: 16.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, .417/.361/.801 shooting, 20.5 PER

Kyrie Irving‘s return is what has vaulted the Cleveland Cavaliers to eight straight wins and back into the contender category, but Kevin Love deserves far more credit than he’s gotten for helping LeBron James hold down the fort in the meantime.

He’s not the same player who slapped up a 26-12-4 stat line in his final season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but Love has gone back to being a regular double-double machine who can also spread the floor from three-point territory. He’s only shooting 41.7 percent from the field, but by knocking down 36.1 percent of his threes, Love helps spread the floor for Cleveland’s dynamic offense.

Like Chris Bosh once was for the Miami Heat, Love has become the overlooked stretch-4 who plays third fiddle to LeBron and a flashy, athletic guard on the perimeter. And also like Bosh, Love deserves a lot more appreciation for the unique skill set he brings to the table.

When he’s not busy playing a scrawny adolescent in Meet The Hoopers, Kevin Love is busy knocking down three-pointers and pulling down boards to close out defensive possessions. Love pick-and-pops are not as prevalent in Cleveland’s offense as they should be, but Love has accepted his lessened role and the team is winning.

Love’s scoring numbers have gone way down since Irving’s return, but Cleveland is 10-2 in that 12-game stretch. With the Cavs suddenly looking like a legitimate title contender once more, Love’s role in keeping this team on track should not fly under the radar.

Next: No. 5