ESPN caught up with Kevin Love in Los Angeles as he prepares for the NBA Draft.
Draft stock is a fickle thing. Last year, Love was projected to go in the top 5, but over the course of the season, people started to question his fitness and athleticism. He is no doubt a very skilled player, but while he was at UCLA, he was clearly on the doughy side. It also seemed like he got by more on strength than jumping ability in the post.
But, from the video, it looks like he has indeed lost some fat and that seems to have helped his vertical leap. He was dunking in the post with ease, so if can improve on that (or just keep it up), his draft stock will rise. He’s going to play power forward in the NBA, and he has all the tools to be a good one. He is very skilled with the ball – there’s no questioning his shooting, passing or even his ball handling skills – but scouts will need to see good athleticism in his personal workouts for his stock to rise to earlier levels.
Lots of players are motivated to get into better shape before the draft (because of the money involved), but some don’t keep those good habits up once the money starts rolling in. My beloved Milwaukee Bucks were once duped by one Robert “Tractor” Traylor, who trimmed down enough before the draft to convince the Bucks to burn a lottery pick on him. I don’t think Kevin Love is the next Robert Traylor – in fact, I think he’s going to be a star – but there is some risk.
