Kevin Love has been having a terrific NBA season, perhaps one of the best for some years now.

The efforts of the five-time All-Star have been one of the reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as one of the surprise teams this 2021-22 season. However, the true test for the 2016 NBA champions will be in the playoffs.

Although Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff has managed to find ways to resolve player deficiencies due to injuries, things are expected to get tougher once winning time comes. Collins Sexton is out for the season while Ricky Rubio saw his masterful run come to a disastrous end.

The Spaniard was eventually dealt with the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Caris LeVert and a second-round pick.

And just when it appeared that Bickerstaff got the needed backcourt duo to lead the Cavs, Jarrett Allen was the next casualty, suffering a fractured finger that forced Cleveland to list him indefinitely out.

Given that Allen has been one of the pillars of the Cavs, his absence will be a big blow. Other big men will have to step up and one of them is Love.

Although he may not be the top dog that most knew him to be, Love is mature enough to know how huge of a loss Allen is. He is clueless on whether the 23-year-old can return, ironically someone he is mentoring as well.

Love brands Allen as the anchor of the team and hopes that the All-Star center can eventually return in time for the Cavs – especially for the playoffs.

As of this writing, the Cavs are in the sixth spot of the Eastern Conference but are within striking distance to make it to the top four and possibly enjoy home-court advantage in the first round of the postseason wars.

But for the Cavs to reach that, Bickerstaff needs someone to step up for the team. Aside from Love, there is Evan Mobley, Cedi Osman and Lauri Markkanen who need to step up their games.

Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to Jarrett Allen
Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to Jarrett Allen Getty Images | Mitchell Leff

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