Kevin Love NBA Draft
June 17, 2008
As the Info Plays team continues to look into the 2008 NBA Draft, we are focusing on some of the more interesting propositions offered by top online sportsbooks like BetUS. Our eyes have been drawn to Kevin Love, who played extremely well as a freshman in leading UCLA to the Final Four once again.
We know that Love won’t be the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft, but just where will he go? Let’s take a look at the odds before giving our detailed prediction.
NBA Draft Betting Odds on Where Will Kevin Love Be Selected:
5th:
+275
6th:
+450
7th:
+450
8th:
+325
9th:
+325
10th:
+450
Anything else:
+175
Sure, Love doesn’t have the height to play center in the NBA, but he is fundamentally solid, smart, and has basketball savvy that you won’t find in many other players. He handled the pressure of the national spotlight while playing for the Bruins and was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year. While he won’t be able to bang with all of the big boys, some teams are moving towards a smaller center who can play outside. Teams that have a strong power forward will be able to afford to have Love come in and play center. Or Love can even move to the power forward spot himself. Love can run the floor, passes well so you can get it outletted and start your break, plus he blocked a lot of shots in the paint.
Sure, general managers make a lot of mistakes in the draft as they go for upside or potential over what’s been displayed already. When drafting big men we have seen a lot of underacheivers over the years, think Olawakandi or Kwame Brown. I just think you know what you are getting with Kevin Love and what you are getting is a really good player.
Love may not be a leading scorer on any team that he’s on, but he is the kind of guy that will help your team win a championship. He possesses a team first attitude, and any NBA exec that passes on him for the hopes of striking gold will be making a big mistake. He is one of the highest rated players we have going into this year’s draft.
The Timberwolves might have some interest and that is why the odds on the no. 3 pick are kind of low. However, we have heard they are looking to trade down to take Love. The scouts that don’t like Love point to how he did against Stanford’s Brook Lopez, in games that he had trouble turning the ball over and forced some shots. Lopez is bigger and stronger, the type of player Love will run into in the NBA.
Love ends up in either the 6 or 7 spot, so if you are looking for some value on where to bet on him going, take one of those two.