Rookie Guard Has Become The Trail Blazers’ Unsung Hero

On Monday, Love was once again the star of the show. Against the Dallas Mavericks, Love scored 24 points, with 12 of them coming in the fourth quarter. The Blazers won the game 125-122, and Love was the game-changing player.

Love has stepped up for the Blazers throughout this season. Yes, he puts up a lot of shots, but he has the green light. He can be a ball-handler and playmaker, but Splitter wants him to take the shots he’s comfortable with.

Love’s Impact as a Two-Way Rookie

Love has played well enough this season that some people forget he is a two-way player. That is impressive because he has been a reliable option off the bench as a guard. The Blazers lack depth in that position due to injuries to Henderson, Holiday, and Blake Wesley.

Not only is he a two-way player, but he is also an undrafted rookie. While Love has extensive experience in college, playing for both Kentucky and Arizona, the NBA is a different level. Despite the step up in competition, Love has maintained his defiant attitude, as he wants to keep playing.

He is an older rookie at 24, which has helped him stay level-headed. It is a tough challenge to go from the college game to the NBA. However, Love has made it feel easy. He is a natural NBA player, and his continued good games could land him a full-time contract.

Moving forward, Love could feature more in Splitter’s system. He has earned his spot in the current rotation, but it might get smaller when the guards come back. Despite the pressure, Love stepped up, and he could get a regular contract for his efforts.

The Blazers Believe in Love

Every time he plays, anyone can tell that Love is receiving good support from his teammates and coaches. He has unmatched confidence, as he will put up a shot when he wants to. This can be bad at times because it messes up the rhythm, but one can never fault a player’s confidence.

That paid off for the Blazers in the win against the Mavericks. Most of the Blazers became tentative as the Mavericks’ defense got busier. However, Love made sure to contribute and prove that he can bring the win to Portland.

“Just my confidence and my belief in God. I trust my work. I came a long way, and I’ve been in these moments before in college and throughout my whole career. My teammates and coaches believe in me. I just try to make the best play possible,” Love said after the win against Dallas.

Moving forward, Love will have a role for the Blazers. He will probably take a step back, but he will remain a valuable contributor to Portland’s long-term future. He can help solve the Blazers’ clutch issues, which will make him useful in the long run.