Grading the Miami Heat’s interesting buyout signing of Kevin Love
By Dalton Sell
Fit and Role
It is no secret that the Heat have been in the market for a power forward all season. It took them a while, but they finally got their guy, and he might be the perfect fit for them. Two of Love’s strongest attributes are his long-range shooting and rebounding, which are two things this Heat team needs more of.
According to NBA.com/stats, the Heat rank bottom four in both 3-point percentage and rebounds per game this season. Love, who has shot 37.2 percent from three while averaging 10.5 rebounds per game for his career, will undoubtedly help bump those numbers up. Even if he is not the Love of old, the 34-year-old can still do both of those things to some degree that will help Miami.
The biggest way Love will help the Heat is by spacing the floor when he shares the court with Bam Adebayo, the Heat’s starting center. Adebayo has never been a long-range threat, having done his damage close to the hoop offensively throughout his career. Love can stretch the floor and draw opponents out to guard him on the perimeter to give Adebayo more room to work down low. The pairing of Love and Adebayo will make for a great one-two punch offensively.
As for his fit, Love is capable of coming off of the bench or starting. He will likely be a reserve to begin, but as he gets acclimated to his surroundings, it would not be surprising if he landed in the starting five. The fit with Abebayo would be a clear-cut reason to make him a starting forward, as it would make Miami’s offense much more lethal.