Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA -- Spurning Love for Thompson


PhilBoxing.com



Love.

Oakland, CA?One of the most hotly debated topics during the last offseason for the Golden State Warriors was the team?s attempt to acquire, then, Minnesota Timberwolves, All-NBA Power Forward, Kevin Love. Clearly, both the Warriors and Timberwolves were in close discussion about a potential trade that would have landed Love and guard Kevin Martin in exchange for David Lee, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. At the end of the day, it was the Warriors, who refused to include Thompson in the deal for Kevin Love.

Kevin Love was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for number picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett (also included were other players in the deal, but the main pieces were Wiggins and Bennett). The majority of basketball fans and the media praised the trade, as Love would join forces with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for Cleveland?s version of their ?Big Three?. The same majority of fans and media also questioned why were the Warriors not willing to part with Thompson. The stats and numbers clearly favored Love over Thompson. Love averaged 26.1 points with 12.5 rebounds a game last season compared to Thompson who averaged 18.4 points at the shooting guard position. Love, at power forward, was considered one of best at his position.

The Warriors were clear on their position. They valued Thompson too much to part with even for Kevin Love. The Warriors? executive board member, Jerry West, was the main executive at the front offices who wanted to keep Thompson. West, a hall of fame player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been credited for trading for Kobe Bryant. West, along with head coach Steve Kerr, were Thompson?s biggest supporters.

Fast forward to the new year and 30 plus games into the season, and West?s and Kerr?s faith has been rewards. First, Thompson signed a four-year extension worth 69 million with the team, which showed Thompson?s commitment long-term with the Warriors (something Love has shown with the Cavs, given he has the right to opt of his contract as soon as this coming offseason). There?s also no comparison with the value Thompson has provided with his play on the court as compared to Love with his play with the Cavs.

Thompson is averaging 21 points this year, and is clearly the team?s second option at scoring behind Stephen Curry. Thompson will be in heavy discussion for a spot in the loaded Western Conference All Star team. More importantly, the Warriors have blitzed to a league best 26-5 record.

Meanwhile, Love is playing third wheel to LeBron and Irving because the offense hasn?t been built around Love as it had in Minnesota. Love, who is an excellent offensive player, is also a below average defender with no real low post game. The lack of defense could be a reason why the team is just 19-15.

What is also lost in the debate has been the contribution of Draymond Green to the Warriors this season. During the post-game press conference last Friday after the Warriors? 126-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors, coach Kerr mentioned that Green should be considered for a defensive player of the year award and for most improved player. Green?s value to the team is measured beyond his impressive stat line of 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Green has been committed on the defensive end of the floor guarding bigger power forwards. Unlike Love, Green does not command that many shot attempts and is a willing passer to both Curry and Thompson. The Michigan State alum has been a winner all of his career, and that passion has also help the Warriors become a winning team. An argument can be made that Green alone is more value to the Warriors for what he does than Love would have been had he gone to the Warriors. That?s not to say Green and Thompson alone are better players than Love, but clearly their value to the what the Warriors have been doing so far can?t be ignored.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.