From Distance: Face and Fashion of the Franchise

four point play….

1. Kevin Love has matured into a handsome man. Most NBA bigmen weren’t exactly lookers when they were 15, but Kevin Love’s transformation is rather comical. I’m happy for the big fella, or shall I say the svelte fella.

I frequently go back in time and tell my 14 year-old self that everything will be okay. You won’t always be so chubby, but enjoy that hair now, young man.

Kev can go back to his 22 year-old self and say, “you are going to be a legit GQ model. Not just the athlete, this might sell a few issues kind, but a full-fledged model model!”

While I already knew that Kevin has a contract with Banana Republic, I was somewhat surprised to learn that he also contributes as a clothes designer.

I’m sure full-time designers are scoffing at the notion that Love actually has any idea what he is doing, but I will give the guy the benefit of the doubt. To roughly paraphrase my man Mitch Hedberg, “you don’t need to farm in order to be able to cook.”

I’d be shocked if Kevin didn’t leave most, if not all, of the technical details to the pros as it pertains to sewing patterns and actual tailoring. That is fine by me. One ridiculous aspect of Project Runway is how much the show values time efficient building skill.

What’s the goal? Are we looking for amazing designs, or an ability to pull something off as quickly as possible?

Kevin places great emphasis on the materials of his line. He prefers a stretch cotton that can move with him and maintain a quality look despite many hours of travel.

Clearly, he doesn’t actually make the cotton, nor do the designers on Project Runway. At some point, we all must delegate a part of the process to people who can do a task better than we can.

Kevin might have plenty of help in producing his clothes, but the line is clearly his own. It is possible to lead a cause without completely dominating the lives of all involved.

2. For this reason, I am very encouraged that Love has hosted pre-draft workouts in Miami. While it can be seen as simply a remnant of LeBron’s Cavaliers, by hosting, Love displays a self-confidence in his ability to lead. (And that he really wants to play for the Heat! Just kidding. Man, I won’t miss that nonsense).

Everyone knows that Kevin is now the face of the franchise. It would be easy for a less secure person to attempt to erase previous traditions in an effort to show everyone how important he is. Instead, Kevin has continued his evolution as a person.

First, the physical aspects were made clear to the world. It’s hard to hide going from a chubby kid to a model. The less obvious evolution has also been taking place. Between his open dialogue on depression and this new take on leadership, Kevin is showing how he has matured and evolved on a human level.

The Cavs are lucky to have a man who seems to cherish collaboration as an aspect of his leadership. This could go very well.

Most of the roster has been down at the University of Miami gyms for the workouts. Notably absent are Ante Zizic, Tristan Thompson, and Cedi Osman.

3. The three Cavs will look to dominate the second round of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. I’m looking forward to seeing the work that Osman has put in this off-season.

I’ve mentioned a few times that Cedi’s left-handed dribble needs to improve in order for him to be the player he is capable of becoming. Osman will have a chance to display his dexterity for a Turkish squad that relies on his Pick and Roll play-making.

Zizic’s Croatian team is far more loaded with NBA talent, but it shouldn’t prevent the big man from dominating the glass and tossing soft hook-shots with either hand.

4. Cedi and Ante play today, but Tristan Thompson has already been at work. In Canada’s win over Brazil, Thompson went for a double-double notching 10 points and 12 rebounds in just under 30 minutes of game play.

TT might be the most interesting person of the three International players. He has spent the off-season working on his dribbling and shooting in an effort to become a more well-rounded offensive presence.

Unfortunately, in the action I saw, TT’s skill-set looked decidedly the same as it has over the last few years. Thompson coughed up the ball and missed all five of his free throws.

On the bright side, he didn’t seem to be moving as though he was underwater. Then again, Tristan did most of his damage against our old family member, Anderson Varejao. Andy looks like he has lost a step or nine as he wasn’t much of a match for Tristan in the open floor. Regardless, it’s nice to see Thompson look a little bouncy.

Kelly Olynyk also played. That guy.

Quickies:

Back on this side of the pond, Tom Thibodeau is actively trying to antagonize Jimmy Butler. Or at least, that is what one would think if one were to simply look at all the ex-Bulls that Thibs has brought to Minny.

Wasn’t Butler unhappy there with Derrick Rose and the gang? Or was that simply manufactured by the media?

I actually think Luol Deng isn’t a bad signing. It’s likely he has a little bit left in the tank as a 10th guy. But Derrick Rose? What are you doing, Thibs?

Russell Westbrook had a little cleanup knee surgery this week. That has to terrify the Thunder front office. Whether it is routine or not, it seems it would have made more sense to do this kind of a procedure a month or two ago.

Instead, it is clear that Russ had a flareup that precipitated the procedure. That giant contract is going to get really dicey as early as next season. Good luck, OKC.

It’s nice to officially have David Nwaba and Rodney Hood signed to the roster. I’m not expecting anything but empty stats from Rodney Hood. He disappointed me so much in the playoffs, he has a long way to go before I trust a single 20 point explosion.

Nwaba has a chance to be an interesting piece. If Ty Lue runs Nwaba with shooters, he can be a very functional defensive player while playing essentially as a power guard/forward on offense.

The Cavs will have Bonzi Colson, Scoochie Smith and Isaac Hamilton in training camp. While everyone was doing mental gymnastics during the summer league in an effort to convince themselves that Collin Sexton is good, Scoochie frequently outplayed the Cavs’ lottery pick.

I’m not saying I think Scoochie is good. I’m just saying that Sexton didn’t play much better. That is worrisome.

In more fun news, I’m all in on Bonzi Colson and his ridiculous wingspan. If David Dan Gilbert is a sucker for short point guards who can’t guard anyone, I’m a sucker for undersized post players who use their big behinds to boxout the world. And what a touch!

Here’s hoping his foot is completely healed. I want to watch me some Bonzi!