Can Kevin Love Fill Dirk's Shoes?

[miles berg]

I'm watching the Bird vs Magic documentary on NBATV right now and I wonder...can Kevin Love fill Dirks shoes? I'm a huuuuuge Dirk fan, he is my all time favorite player (passing the "should-a-been great" Roy Tarpley), and he did a great job as the 2nd best white player ever. He wasn't as good as Bird, I get that, he was close, but not close enough no matter if he pulls of another title (which with $32 million in cap space + a redeveloping Monta Ellis can happen) or not...it's meaningless in me eyes...Dirk is #15 all time until Durant passes him (if he does).

But as he enters his 17th year, he is 2-3 years from being done and now the question becomes...can Kevin Love even come close to Dirk let alone Larry?

I firmly believe that Larry is a top 4 guy all time (Jordan/Magic/Bird/LeBron) and that Dirk is top 15 (which many will argue with and say he is top 20-25 not top 15 which is stupid because he went against Shaq/Duncan/Kings Webber/pre-micro Amare/Durant in the West...but the real question is...

Is Kevin Love (like I think) more media hype than actual game changer? This isn't meant to be racist. Fact is only Bird, Dirk, & West are in the convo for all time great white players (Sabonis wasn't great in the NBA) but is Love more media hype or is he legit the next in line?

Personally I think on his worst day that Kevin McHale is better than Love will ever be...what do you think?

[navy]

Kevin Love is underrated because of his shit teams, but he isnt that skilled. And never will be.

[Legends66NBA7]

If it's in terms of great white players, Love isn't even considered over the like of John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Steve Nash, John Stockon and Rick Barry either off the top my head (not players OP mentioned ). Depending on who you ask, George Mikan as well.

I think he's a good talent, but I think he makes too many excuses for his situation and when he loses.

[GimmeThat]

who would be upset at Kevin Love taking the last shot in a game?



Case closed.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

No. Dirk is far better. In fact, I might take Dirk in 2013-2014 over Love in 2013-2014.

[ihatetimthomas]

I think Dirk impacted the game bigger than Love has . I've seen Dirk single handedly take over games many many times. Love doest have the offensive skillset Dirk has, and I dont ever think he will.

Dirk used to be a shooter only, but he evolved his game. He has a post game, he has a great midrange game and he improved his D over the years. Love to me is stats until he proves it on the big stage in the playoffs. Its funny because Love at 25 probably has had multiple statistical seasons that appear better than any season Dirk has had. Just shows me stats are only stats until you watch the players play.

[andremiller07]

If you took the soul out of Dirk's shoes maybe

[dirkdiggler41]

If Love is able to develope a postgame with fades and fakes he can become a great first option. Right now he seems to depended on other players creating shots for him.

[pastis]

at this pointi dont think that love will come close on the all time list to dirk. but you never know. his stats are impressive, some even better than dirks, but he hasnt the impact dirk had and has. he struggles in creating his own shot.
but love is still youg, lots of primes are starting at 29. so he can develop is game easily. i think he needs playoff experience. playoffs are an important step to develop your own game

[NumberSix]

Kevin Love isn't white.

[VIntageNOvel]

i dont think so, their shoes size is different

[Yankstar]

Kevin Love isn't white.

:applause:

I call that mamba mentality :rockon:

[masonanddixon]

Dirk is possibly the most unique player in that as big man who can spread the floor so well with this triple threat ability it's basically an unofficial assist every time he runs the pick and roll.

Kevin Love is a decent player but he and Dirk are on two different levels.

[Cone]

Nope. Never.

Dirk is just a much better player, and that's not a slight at Love who is a good player in his own right.. just that Dirk is an all-time great (top 20 at the worst) and he will always impact the game more than Love. I would rather have 35 year old Dirk vs 25 year old Love for a season to win a ring.

Look at what a past his prime Dirk did with 9 new players and a very mediocre cast (other than Monta Ellis).. 50 wins and took the Spurs to 7. Love just doesnt impact the game in that way. Dirk at 35 just averaged 22/6 on 50/40/90%

When Dirk was Love's age, he was putting up epic battles vs KG and TD. Winning and putting up big stats.

Again, Love is a really good player, but it's not fair comparing him to Dirk.

[stalkerforlife]

No.

Dirk's better at creating his own shot. You can give Dirk the ball and he'll do it himself. Dirk can carry a team on his back. Dirk is also tougher mentally.

This is an insult to Dirk.

[pastis]

Dirk is possibly the most unique player in that as big man who can spread the floor so well with this triple threat ability it's basically an unofficial assist every time he runs the pick and roll.

Kevin Love is a decent player but he and Dirk are on two different levels.




Nope. Never.

Dirk is just a much better player, and that's not a slight at Love who is a good player in his own right.. just that Dirk is an all-time great (top 20 at the worst) and he will always impact the game more than Love. I would rather have 35 year old Dirk vs 25 year old Love for a season to win a ring.

Look at what a past his prime Dirk did with 9 new players and a very mediocre cast (other than Monta Ellis).. 50 wins and took the Spurs to 7. Love just doesnt impact the game in that way. Dirk at 35 just averaged 22/6 on 50/40/90%

When Dirk was Love's age, he was putting up epic battles vs KG and TD. Winning and putting up big stats.

Again, Love is a really good player, but it's not fair comparing him to Dirk.




No.

Dirk's better at creating his own shot. You can give Dirk the ball and he'll do it himself. Dirk can carry a team on his back. Dirk is also tougher mentally.

This is an insult to Dirk.


:applause: :applause: :bowdown: :bowdown: :applause: :applause: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[SCdac]

First off, it took Dirk 13 seasons in the league before winning a championship and Marc Cuban has always had his back financially. Let's give Kevin Love some time, and maybe see what he can do outside of Minnesota (no offense Timberwolves fans). Love is only 25 years old.

Secondly, Love needs to cut down on the huge amount of three's (~7 per game) and work on his post game and defense. He plays like a SG on offense, imo. Dirk to his credit toned down his three-attempts greatly and worked on his post game in the mid-late 2000's, after embarrassing losses to the Heat and Warriors in back to back years.

But some times it takes bad losses to become great (see: Jordan, Duncan, Shaq, Lebron, etc). Love has yet to make the playoffs, but with another All Star next to him I think he'll be fine. He could contribute to a championship imo. Provided his game becomes more complete.

[stalkerforlife]

And to top it all off, Dirk is an underrated defender. Dirk is definitely better than Love defensively.

[pastis]

would dirk with this wolves team reach the playoffs? i say yes. it seems crazy, cause love had better stats this season, but i believe that dirk would reach te playoffs with the wolves

[ArbitraryWater]

I have Dirk firmply placed in my top 10.. going in for the top 5 now :cheers:

lol nah but close

[Cone]

And to top it all off, Dirk is an underrated defender. Dirk is definitely better than Love defensively.
:cheers:

[ArbitraryWater]

2014:

http://i.gyazo.com/33ea76f1bc3ddc0df33901570051554d.png

2014 Dirk > 2014 Love/Aldridge

Not sure if those stats were recorded at the end though... anyone can post the full season stats?

And also, Wolves lost like all games within 5 points or some crazy stat like that.. K-Love lost them plenty of close games. That doesn't happen with Dirk.

[Cone]

First off, it took Dirk 13 seasons in the league before winning a championship and Marc Cuban has always had his back financially. Let's give Kevin Love some time, and maybe see what he can do outside of Minnesota (no offense Timberwolves fans). Love is only 25 years old.

Secondly, Love needs to cut down on the huge amount of three's (~7 per game) and work on his post game and defense. He plays like a SG on offense, imo. Dirk to his credit toned down his three-attempts greatly and worked on his post game in the mid-late 2000's, after embarrassing losses to the Heat and Warriors in back to back years.

But some times it takes bad losses to become great (see: Jordan, Duncan, Shaq, Lebron, etc). Love has yet to make the playoffs, but with another All Star next to him I think he'll be fine. He could contribute to a championship imo. Provided his game becomes more complete.

:roll: just stop. jesus christ. i know you hate dirk with all your heart, but chill

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Scdac, used to say Dirk won in a weak era when the Spurs finally declined.

Now that the Spurs made it to the Finals two years in a row and won last year, he has changed his tuned on that backhanded compliment to Dirk.

As for the topic... Kevin Love will not.

[SCdac]

Love had some good games against the Mavs this season. will be interesting seeing him in the next few seasons progress. if anything I'd just like to see the timberwolves stay healthy and for Rubio to revamp his jump shot.

32 points / 15 rebounds / 8 assists / 12-21 FG / 5-5 FT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZagUa1RlZ4

35 points / 8 rebounds / 3 assists / 11-20 / 11-14 .. and game winner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zlaIhhqimY

36 points / 11 rebounds / 4 assists / 14-24 / 6-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoBGT8O6oFg

[SCdac]

Scdac, used to say Dirk won in a weak era when the Spurs finally declined.

Now that the Spurs made it to the Finals two years in a row and won last year, he has changed his tuned on that backhanded compliment to Dirk.

As for the topic... Kevin Love will not.

Nah, i don't think this era is as strong as say mid-2000's. In other words, I don't think the Spurs of 2014 would beat the Spurs of 2005. Personally, I think the Mavs and Spurs recent championship teams are closer in characteristics than they are far apart. And that's not a bad thing at all

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Put more spin on that than a Fernando Valenzuela screwball.

[SCdac]

Put more spin on that than a Fernando Valenzuela screwball.

So do you think Love can lead a team to a championship , or "fill Dirk's shoes", any time in his career? A league that'll soon be without Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, etc... I don't think there's any powerhouses in the league like we saw in much of the 80, 90's, and 00's. Especially if Miami, the only team that could be considered one, is about to break up. You're talking spin move, but where do you rank the recent champions, all time? I don't think there's any absolutes, it's all subjective in nature, so feel free

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

So do you think Love can lead a team to a championship , or "fill Dirk's shoes", any time in his career?

He puts up better stats than Dirk. Dirk (like Duncan) has never been about stats. Dirk just does what the team needs him to do in order for them to be successful. Love doesn't have. And he will never get that team oriented mindset. Dirk knew that mindset from day 1. Love has had more time than Dirk to try and figure that out. Dirk at 25, and Love at 25 is different. Love has been here all his life. Never had to transition. Dirk on the other hand had to learn English, culture, etc. And the NBA game. And picked it up quicker than Love. Love will never learn it.

[ralph_i_el]

Love is still developing and we've only seen him on dysfunctional teams

[SCdac]

Word. I don't feel it's mostly about adapting to culture with Love and lack of winning effort, but rather being on a worse team than the Mavs, poor management, and perhaps just being a lesser player in general (seems 6-10 height at best). Love + mid 2000's Nash would have been pretty righteous though. Like so many did with Dirk around the same age (even myself at times).. I'm not ready to write him off.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Love is still developing and we've only seen him on dysfunctional teams

He is a major reason why they are dysfunctional. Repeatedly griping at his teammates. Locker room beefs with his teammates. Never being accountable. Blaming others, etc.

And yall don't remember how truly bad the Mavs were before 1998 I guess and Dirk came aboard.

[Legends66NBA7]

Love is still developing and we've only seen him on dysfunctional teams

He is a major reason why they are dysfunctional. Repeatedly griping at his teammates. Locker room beefs with his teammates. Never being accountable. Blaming others, etc.

And yall don't remember how truly bad the Mavs were before 1998 I guess and Dirk came aboard.

Great points on K-Love, I agree.

And yeah, the 90's Mavs were the polar opposite of the 90's Bulls during that decade. Cuban played a big role in the turnaround too.

[BoutPractice]

Different kind of player. They're both unique in their skillset.

Dirk's main characteristic is that he's a 7 footer who (at his best) can create a shot from almost anywhere on the court, from the post to all the way out to the three point line. Not only that, but because of his size, high release point, decent strength and perfect balance allowing him to shoot off any leg, he manages to make most defenders irrelevant: whether it goes in or not depends on him more than it does on his man. In other words, he's the ideal first option.

Love's main characteristic is that he's the only player in the league who can rebound, shoot from outside, and pass extremely well at the same time. Those three qualities summarize what he brings to the table. He is a star, and has HOF potential, but you won't lose anything by having him as your second option. Using Dirk as a spot up shooter is a waste of talent. Using Love as a spot up shooter is exactly how you're meant to use him.

[ArbitraryWater]

Nah, i don't think this era is as strong as say mid-2000's. In other words, I don't think the Spurs of 2014 would beat the Spurs of 2005. Personally, I think the Mavs and Spurs recent championship teams are closer in characteristics than they are far apart. And that's not a bad thing at all

Joke... this team is infinitely better, and so is this era :wtf:

Dirk himself said looking at the teams, he's not sure how he made the finals in 06 and won 67 games in 07... look at the top teams ffs

We now have the Clippers/Thunder/Rockets/Blazers all with 2-3 stars, AND the Spurs... you think 2005 was better?

[DMAVS41]

different class of player.

Dirk was a true championship first option from about 02 on...perhaps he didn't hit that point until 03....

Love seems like he's a great 2nd guy. And in that role...he might be as effective as Dirk would be actually as a lot of what makes Dirk special is the ability to carry an offense consistently...etc.

So if you compare them as 2nd options...I think it could be interesting. But championship first options? Hell no...Love isn't in Dirk's class as a player.

[DMAVS41]

Joke... this team is infinitely better, and so is this era :wtf:

Dirk himself said looking at the teams, he's not sure how he made the finals in 06 and won 67 games in 07... look at the top teams ffs

We now have the Clippers/Thunder/Rockets/Blazers all with 2-3 stars, AND the Spurs... you think 2005 was better?

I definitely think the 05 Spurs were better than the 14 Spurs. It's actually not close in my opinion.

Prime Duncan/Parker/Manu...with Bowen and Horry...so good

Even Nazr was only slightly worse than Splitter in their roles and Barry was solid as well in his Danny Green type role.

The current spurs are becoming one of the most over-rated teams ever right now. The Heat sucked! The Thunder lost Ibaka for two games and he was not 100% in that series. They went to 7 against the Mavs.

The 05 Spurs murk the 14 Spurs...

Who cares about depth when Parker/Manu/Duncan as a unit was considerably better in 05 and playing a combined 109 minutes per game vs 90 minutes per game this year.

[ALBballer]

I like Love but his moves are hitting open jumpers, scoring off of offensive rebounds and the occasional post move. In crunch time, he kinda disappears because defenses focus on him more and he doesn't really have much of a polished postgame or the offensive skill to create his shot.

While Dirk is not the passer or rebounder Love is, but has post moves and is much more skilled offensively. Dirk can pull up from three, shoot midranges, back you down and so forth.

Dirk is a legitimate number 1 option while Love could be but would make for a great number 2.

[masonanddixon]

I like Love but his moves are hitting open jumpers, scoring off of offensive rebounds and the occasional post move. In crunch time, he kinda disappears because defenses focus on him more and he doesn't really have much of a polished postgame or the offensive skill to create his shot.

While Dirk is not the passer or rebounder Love is, but has post moves and is much more skilled offensively. Dirk can pull up from three, shoot midranges, back you down and so forth.

Dirk is a legitimate number 1 option while Love could be but would make for a great number 2.

It always cracks me up how people say this. Dirk is an incredible passer for his size, it's easily the most underrated aspect of his game.