Hoops Habit
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Kevin Love’s return to glory with the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Tony Pesta

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the last minutes of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 08, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 115-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the last minutes of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 08, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 115-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 15: Isaac Okoro #35 celebrates with Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Rockets 124-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers’ young core has helped rejuvenate the Cavaliers, giving Kevin Love something to play for

Cleveland’s success is due to much more than a strong second unit (Cedi Osman is shooting a scorching hot 41 percent on nearly six 3threepoint attempts per game and deserves a shoutout). The young core has stepped up and thrust this team into the spotlight.

Darius Garland has broken out as a borderline All-Star, while Jarrett Allen is more than deserving of actually making the All-Star Game this year.

Garland is hitting his stride as one of the most inventive playmakers and shot creators in the league, averaging 19.1 points and 7.3 assists. Meanwhile, Allen is posting a monstrous career-high 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds to go along with 1.4 blocks per game.

Bubbling under the surface is Isaac Okoro, the high-octane perimeter defender who is finally seeing success on the offensive end. Okoro has scored 15 or more points in each of his last four games, matching the longest stretch of his brief career (he scored 15+ in four straight games to conclude his rookie stint).

All of this is certainly a huge reason for why Love is playing with renewed motivation. However, the homerun selection of Evan Mobley with the No. 3 overall pick this summer is what has everyone beyond thrilled for the future.

At 20 years of age, Mobley has looked like a game-breaking talent. He is a nimble seven-footer with incredible dexterity and timing on defense. He is eighth in total blocks and fourth in shots contested, despite missing six games this season.

Oh, and he has only committed 53 fouls compared to his 46 blocks.

Mobley’s offensive skillset is raw, but not as unpolished as we expected. He’s 12-of-29 (41.4 percent) from deep over his last 15 games and is finishing 74.0 percent of his attempts in the paint. The rookie has also flashed some playmaking chops as a quick decision-maker out of the pick-and-roll.

With so many young players exceeding expectations, it is no wonder the Cavaliers are the NBA’s most surprising team this season.

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