When the Cavaliers made 2014 No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins the centerpiece of a trade with the Timberwolves for Kevin Love two summers ago, they figured they were getting a rebounding, three-point shooting machine who would fit perfectly with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
For most of two seasons, though, the narrative has been much different from that. Last season, Love struggled to fit in both on and off the court. He was injured during the playoffs, but the Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals anyway — prompting some to wonder if the two sides might be better off cutting ties. Much of this season was no better.
It's only fair to note then that the version of Love the Cavaliers expected from the start has emerged at just the right time. Saturday's hiccup aside, when the Cavs lost for the first time this postseason and Love went 1-for-9 from the field, Love has been a major part of the Cavaliers' playoff dominance.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.
