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Thursday, December 8, 2011

WEEK 5, DEBATE 3: Chris Bosh vs. Kevin Love


        

VS.




Who would you rather have this season: Chris Bosh or Kevin Love?

BOSH'S REP:
"Kevin Love is a beast, no doubt about it. One of the best rebounders in the game, and the plus side is that he’s still young. Having said all that, if I had to choose between him and Chris Bosh for the 2011-2012  season, I would take Bosh is a heartbeat. The reason being is that Bosh is on a much better team. He is surrounded by two future Hall of Famers, and therefore doesn’t have to carry the load. Love on the other hand, has to do it all for his team. I can’t even name another member of the T-Wolves. So while Love may have put up the better stats in 2011, the fact that his team finished with the worst record in basketball is a testament on how much stock one should put into statistics."

LOVE'S REP:
"'Kevin McHale’s Last Great Trade'  During his tenure as Minnesota’s general manager, McHale made numerous trades with his first-round picks; notably in 2008 when he traded O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love. What looked to be another disastrous trade, Mayo would go on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team while Kevin Love would end up on the Second Team. Fast forward three years later. Kevin Love: 2011 Most Improved Player of the Year with 20.2 ppg, 15.2 rpg, leading the NBA in rebounds for the season. Only three other players in 2011 averaged 20/10: Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, and Zach Randolph. While Chris Bosh is known for his 15-18 foot jumper, Love can shoot the three with 42% accuracy (1.2-2.9 per game). Beginning 11/22/2010- 03/13/2011, 53 consecutive games with double-digit scoring and rebounding, which would have made another Minnesota legend, George Mikan, proud."



BOSH'S REP:
“Those were all great statistics, most of which made my point. Love posted outstanding numbers, but they were only good enough to secure the worst record in basketball. I love statistics, but I’d rather have the wins. Chris Bosh is the 3rd option on a team that has two of the top five players in the world. He’s not going to see many doubles teams. He’s going to have a chance to put up staggering statistics without the pressure of having to be the number one guy and, at the same time, post one of the best records in the NBA."

LOVE'S REP:
“I didn’t realize that this argument was about who had the better team and teammates and not who the better player is? As you mentioned, Chris Bosh is the third option on a team with two possible Hall of Fame candidates, but it’s interesting that you don’t consider Mr. Bosh a candidate. Your argument boasts Miami having one of the best records in the league, but makes no mention of Mr. Bosh’s contribution. Speaking of teammates, if the offense is taken care of by the other two players, surely, Mr. Bosh would pick up some slack on the defensive end? Instead, Miami’s defense comes from Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem, and when it comes down to the fourth quarter, Mr. Bosh is not considered to lead the comeback. Rather, it's those often-mentioned future Hall of Famers."


Who won this debate? Go to the right sidebar to cast your vote!

2 comments:

  1. In my many ways Kevin Love reminds me of Chris Bosh in Toronto. His stats are off the charts just like Bosh's, but it still doesn't change the fact that he's the only star player on an awful team. It makes one wonder how well Love would do if he became part of a "Big 3" like Bosh is with the Heat. Who would you rather have as your third option - Chris Bosh or Kevin Love?

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  2. I would rather have Love. He's a more willing and much more able dirty worker, getting boards at a rate surpassed by only Dwight Howard. His ability to knock down the three would create better spacing for the first two scoring options to operate, and his outlet passes will mean even better fast break opportunities for his more talented teammates. I think Bosh gets a bit of a bad rap for his somewhat unusual personality (not to mention his admission to crying after a loss), and that he is still one of the better power forwards in the league, but if you're asking me about adding a complementary piece, give me Love.

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