Fans troll Kevin Love’s first look in Miami Heat's jersey: “Bro looks like a grandpa about to put on a jersey”, "Bout 10 years too late"
After Kevin Love signed with the Miami Heat, there were plenty of mixed reactions. Given that he helped the Cavaliers spark an impressive run last season, he has proven that he isn't at a point where he's ready to walk away from the game just yet. Despite that, his production this season has left a lot to be desired.
After being bought out by the Cavaliers and signing with the Miami Heat, Kevin Love was seen for the first time in a Miami Heat uniform this week after the All-Star break. Fans were quick to respond with plenty of hilarious reactions to the news.
First look at K-Love in a Heat uni 🔥
(via @MiamiHEAT) https://t.co/n6ZHPhrXIz
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Bro looks like a grandpa about to put on a jersey
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Bout 10 years too late
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Huge signing for Miami Heat
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Took his talents to South Beach 😂
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT He trying to look so intimidating
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT That 42 on the back looks disgusting. Idk how but it does lmao
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Heat went from a possible first round exit to a 1st round exit with this signing🔥🔥🔥
@BleacherReport @MiamiHEAT Perfect scenario. Will help Jimmy a lot for spacing.
With just over six weeks left in the season, it will be interesting to see how things play out for Love in Miami. Below, you can check out some of his highlights from this season in his limited role before we take a look at his play this season.
Kevin Love's stats this season
After playing just 25 games during the 2020-21 season, Love played in 74 last year and helped the Cavaliers' young core become true prospects in the East. During the season, he averaged 13.6 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc.
This year, his numbers have taken quite a dip. In 41 games played this season, Love has averaged just 8.5 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. With his underwhelming play, Love essentially found himself out of the rotation as January went on.
When the trade deadline was approaching, the Cavaliers didn't think Love was going anywhere. As one of the two teams that hadn't made a move before the deadline, the front office knew Love wanted to play, but had become comfortable with a rotation that didn't include him.
As Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman explained on February 9 to the AP, a buyout for Love wasn't in the works.
“It’s not easy for Kevin, I’m sure. I’ve had conversations with him. He wants to play. I think he’ll have an opportunity to play again this year. But where we’re at now, I think J.B. is really comfortable with the rotation that we have.”
After the buyout agreement was finalized, Kevin Love signed with the Heat, leaving his former teammates in Cleveland stunned.
As Donovan Mitchell stated at the time, he didn't see the move coming. Despite that, head coach JB Bickerstaff understood where Kevin Love was coming from. As he explained to media members recently, the front office honoring his request for a buyout was the right move for the Cavaliers veteran.
Cleveland.com has the quotes:
“Giving Kevin an opportunity to go somewhere where he can compete and he can play was right by him. I think this organization does a great job of taking care of the people who have taken care of it."
Now, Kevin Love's ability as a scoring threat from beyond the arc could help the Heat as they look to make a playoff run. With that being said, it will be interesting to see if he's able to produce at a high enough level to earn consistent minutes.