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If Green Day waited for September to end, Kevin Love is waiting for January to end

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 16: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 16, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pelicans 113-110. 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 - JANUARY 16: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 16, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pelicans 113-110. 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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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is having a January to forget

Kevin Love is not having a good January. The potential Hall of Famer is struggling from the floor, hitting just 25% of his shots and a pathetic 17% from three for January. He’s averaging just six points for the month as well, numbers down across the board essentially. Except for rebounding, which is up a bit.

Love is taking a note from the band Green Day, and is waiting for an entire month to end. Only this one isn’t September, it’s January.

Love came into the year as a key rotation player off the bench that the team needs to play well, and in a lot of ways he still is playing well. He’s having one of the best defensive years for the Cavs in his career so far. His defensive RAPTOR for this season is currently at +1.4 and his all-time with Cleveland is +1.9. Not only is RAPTOR high (for him), but there’s evidence this is his best season on that side of the court, as his defensive box plus-minus score is an all-time high at a +0.7

Love isn’t playing badly, he’s just shooting like he is.

Kevin Love is dealing with a nagging injury

Love was afflicted with a thumb injury on his shooting hand earlier this year that clearly is still bothering him. Some will claim that it’s more than just the thumb, but that isn’t it. Shooting isn’t exactly a skill you lose the ability to do as you get older. Sure, you can lose your stability and endurance in your legs, and that’ll cost you your form but if you’re 20 or 60, you can still shoot. Love’s stats aren’t tanking because he’s washed.

They’re tanking because he’s in pain and can’t shoot through it. The fact that he’s rededicated to the entirety of the game by playing better defense and rebounding harder is a sign that Love is going to find any little way he can to contribute.

Love’s still providing something to the team, but until that thumb completely heels (or heels enough) another player has got to step up and replace Love’s deep threat skillset.

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