Bruin Fans Will Love Kevin Love!

I watched UCLA-bound Kevin Love play last Friday night in the Real Run Winter Classic here in Los Angeles. His Lake Oswego (Oregon) Lakers played Centennial High School. It was never a game: Lake Oswego got off to an 11-0 start and never looked back. It was 18-6 at the end of the first quarter, and 32-13 at half. Final score was 58-37. Love finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, 9 blocked shots and 5 steals. (He even brought the ball upcourt on a couple occasions). This, despite the fact that he was often aggressively double-teamed.

I was really impressed with Kevin Love in every respect. He dominated both ends of the floor. Obviously, he's a very skilled, active and smart big man...tough rebounder, plays strong defense, quick off the floor, nice jump shot (can score inside or outside), a super passer, and an outstanding free-throw shooter. But more than anything, he seemed to be the ultimate team player...looks for and makes great passes to teammates...will score when the opportunity is there...and a real heads-up player!  His team revolves around him...certainly because he's a dominating big man...but, also due to his incredible "team" mentality. At 6'-9", he's not the quite same physical force as Bill Walton or Lew Alcindor...but, he's the next best thing!  And, he may end up being a better team player than either of them (even Walton). He makes interior passes that a guard would make...and his quick outlet passes off defensive rebounds are awesome...real quick and dead-on accurate (even length-of-the-court).

Bruin fans are going to love Love...he'll really fit UCLA Coach Ben Howland's system...and instantly make everyone around him better!

Can't wait for the 2007 college basketball season!

Go Bruins!!!

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