The thing I love (pun intended) about this player is his versatility. He scores in the low post, boards very well, hits a college three and passes (especially his outlet pass) better than any inside player I've seen in a long time. His defense is his weakness and there's some speculation that his inside scoring will suffer against shot blocking centers. He could stand to lose more weight and this will help his athleticism. All in all, he's a very talented guy.

What I was wondering about was how well he'd fit into Mike D's system. His passing and outside shooting would be a huge plus. His d is a minus in any system. His inside scoring may decline against nba centers but still should be above average. Where does he fit as a D'Antoni player?

Here's what Chad Ford thinks of him:

Kevin Love, PF, UCLA


Love was the first player I wanted to see in this environment. We already know that he's one of the most skilled big men to ever enter the draft. His basketball skills, both in the paint and out on the perimeter, resemble those of an NBA veteran.

His basketball IQ is off the charts, his footwork is strong, his jump shot has range out to the NBA 3-point line, his outlet passes are legendary and he has a series of step-backs, up-and-unders and spins that made him one of the top 5 players in college basketball this season.

However, what Love has lacked is explosive athleticism and a chiseled, athletic body. As a freshman at UCLA, he often carried a spare tire around his waist. He seemed to run out of steam in up-tempo games and, at times, looked like he lacked the athleticism to excel in the pros.

Love's strengths and weaknesses have generated a huge debate among NBA scouts and executives about his NBA prospects. Sure, he knows how to play the game. But would that be enough in the up-and-down, breakneck pace of the NBA?

Abunassar has spent the past three weeks with Love and the results are really impressive. Love has lost 13 pounds since UCLA was bounced from the Final Four and he's starting to show muscle definition. He really is getting up and down the floor -- he went through a one-hour, fast-paced workout and finished with plenty of gas left in the tank.

Ford's NBA Dish
Chad Ford chats with Kevin Love about his training regimen, and more. Listen
Love is clearly in much better shape than he was at UCLA and it dramatically improves his game. He's more explosive getting off the floor. He moves better laterally. And he isn't sacrificing the trademark strength that made him one of the toughest big men in college basketball.

Abunassar said a mixture of conditioning and dietary changes have led to Love's improvements. He now eats structured meals several times a day and is working out roughly five to six hours a day. In addition, Abunassar is working on improving Love's flexibility and agility -- which has really helped with his quickness on both ends of the floor.

"Kevin has been working hard," Abunassar said. "And I still feel like we're scratching the surface. He's probably going to lose about five more pounds before Orlando [the NBA pre-draft combines that begin May 27] and we're still working on his explosiveness and flexibility. Every week he's looking better and better."

Love's confidence shines through on the floor. He's taking the lead in drills, encouraging everyone in the gym and going all-out on every drill.

After the workout, he said he's treating basketball like a job. "I want to come in to work every day and put in 100 percent. I know NBA teams expect a lot and I don't want to disappoint them. I love the game and I want to be the best player I can be."

Love admits that he struggled to stay in great shape at UCLA and said he felt that his eating habits were the primary problem. Love said he didn't eat a lot of junk food (thought he mentioned a fondness for chocolate milk) but that he ate large quantities at bad times. Now he's spreading out his meals and it makes a difference.

On Thursday, at least, Love didn't look like the slow, unathletic big man that many NBA scouts had pegged him. He was pretty nimble on his feet.

"I'm telling you right now, I'm going to shock a lot of people coming to the combines," Love said. "Whether it's jumping off the floor or the agility drill or the three-quarter court sprint."

Watching Love work out and seeing his confidence has pushed me to rethink his draft stock. If he goes into pre-draft combines in great shape and shows he has the requisite athleticism and quickness to be a full-time NBA power forward, Love could really move up the board -- possibly in the 5-to-10 range in the draft.

We've already identified the Bobcats, Bulls and Pacers as possibilities. A few other teams higher up in the draft like the Grizzlies and Sonics might also have to give him serious consideration.

Here is nbadraft.net's profile before he started training.

NBA Comparison: Wes Unseld
Strengths: Bruising bigman with a great basketball IQ and feel for the game … Extremely adept on the block. His post skills are at an NBA level right now … He showed the ability to create shots against a great shot blocker (Greg Oden) at the Reebok Big Time tournament in 2005. Really creates space well with his size and strength … A dominant rebounder, hits the glass hard, using tenacity, strength and athleticism … A fierce competitor. Has a passion and toughness to his game that so many big men lack … Really understands the game, with great vision and passing ability … One of those rare bigmen that makes those around him better … Has great touch around the basket … A great athlete, his body might give someone the wrong impression at first glance, he has solid leaping ability and agility … He is extremely adept at sealing his man on post deliveries … Has great footwork and uses position and leverage well for rebounds … Long wingspan allows him to play bigger than his 6-9 size … Outlets the ball extremely well from the post, finding players with perfect full court passes … A great kid with personality and star potential on the NBA level …

Weaknesses: Thick legs anchor him to the floor to a degree, especially with regard to foot speed and transition game … Has decent quickness, but lacks great speed in the open floor … Better in the half court set than full court but can get up and down the floor when he needs to … Has had a few arthroscopic knee surgeries in his high school career, but hasn't shown any lingering affects from it …

Notes: Fame appears to run in his genes, his uncle Mike Love was a member of the Beach Boys … father, Stan Love, played two seasons each for the Baltimore Bullets (1971-72) and Los Angeles Lakers (1973-74) …

Posted by CrushAlot:

If the Knicks take Love they should commit to Curry and move Zach and maybe Lee.

Why can't we have both Love and Lee? I think they would actually feed off each other quite well. Lee is a better rebounder than Love and Love is a better scorer than Lee is, I also think Love would play some better defense than Lee does. I think a Lee/Love frontline would actually work out quite well. When its time to contend, if we could bring in a guy who can block some shots, I think you got a pretty solid front line between the 3 of them.

Posted by Ira:

The thing I love (pun intended) about this player is his versatility. He scores in the low post, boards very well, hits a college three and passes (especially his outlet pass) better than any inside player I've seen in a long time. His defense is his weakness and there's some speculation that his inside scoring will suffer against shot blocking centers. He could stand to lose more weight and this will help his athleticism. All in all, he's a very talented guy.

What I was wondering about was how well he'd fit into Mike D's system. His passing and outside shooting would be a huge plus. His d is a minus in any system. His inside scoring may decline against nba centers but still should be above average. Where does he fit as a D'Antoni player?

sounds like a tennis player.

He's the goods.

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

Quote me on this...The Knicks will trade Lee and draft Love if we do not have a top 2 pick

Lee and Love provide an interesting comparison. Lee's the better athlete and probably a better rebounder, although Love boards very well. Love has the inside moves and the outside shot that Lee still hasn't been able to get very comfortable with. Both are good passers, although Love gets the edge there.

All in all, I'd make that trade. Love brings more to the table than Lee. Also, he has more upside.

Posted by martin:

Posted by Ira:

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

Quote me on this...The Knicks will trade Lee and draft Love if we do not have a top 2 pick

Lee and Love provide an interesting comparison. Lee's the better athlete and probably a better rebounder, although Love boards very well. Love has the inside moves and the outside shot that Lee still hasn't been able to get very comfortable with. Both are good passers, although Love gets the edge there.

All in all, I'd make that trade. Love brings more to the table than Lee. Also, he has more upside.

that's fair.

Cookdcokehop, do you think that Love fits into the quick game that D'Antoni plans? He would be perfect in a triangle offense or at the high post ala Sac, not Phoenix though.

I think Love can be Boris Diaw-esque (the year Amare was injured) in D'Antoni's system. He might actually be better. He is losing weight and he is not that bad athletically.

Posted by Ira:

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

Quote me on this...The Knicks will trade Lee and draft Love if we do not have a top 2 pick

Lee and Love provide an interesting comparison. Lee's the better athlete and probably a better rebounder, although Love boards very well. Love has the inside moves and the outside shot that Lee still hasn't been able to get very comfortable with. Both are good passers, although Love gets the edge there.

All in all, I'd make that trade. Love brings more to the table than Lee. Also, he has more upside.

I'm a huge David Lee fan, but he is not a better rebounder than Kevin Love.

I probably would. He's a great basketball player.

nyballer, I think you're pretty accurate regarding his leaping ability and his d, but he's good at getting separation inside and he has a very good jumper. I think he'll score more than 12 - particularly after he continues to develop that jump shot. Don't forget, he's still very young.