The timing was perfect. I had planned all weekend to write about the excellent rebounding production from a pair of Cleveland Cavaliers -- yes, my weekends sure are fun-filled -- and how I decided to avoid having any shares of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson long ago. Then, in Sunday's rousing loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a team the Cavaliers nearly topped in Philly just a few days prior, Love left early with a lower back contusion and any evidence needed to make my point became clearer.
You see, while Love is a fantastic player in real life and fantasy, with career averages of 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds and many 3-pointers over 12 NBA seasons, he is not the most durable player around. Love missed all but 22 games last season and failed to suit up for more than 60 games in either of the two prior campaigns, and while exceptions are possible based on your league rules and format, I tend to avoid brittle players. Love is 31 years old and NBA players do not get healthier in their 30s.