Originally Published: January 26, 2012

Who's better, Griffin or Love?

Comparing Minnesota and L.A.'s young stars to evaluate which is the NBA's best 4

Palmer By Chris Palmer
ESPN The Magazine
Archive

Here's a hot topic: Who is the best power forward in the game? A handful of players of varying experience levels can make a case for top dog, but none stronger than the ones for Blake Griffin and Kevin Love.

Love recently stated that he thinks he is the best 4 in the NBA right now. "It's me," he said. "If you want to be the best you've got to believe you're the best." That's one vote for Love. But is he right? We'll break this one down by looking at how the two players stack up in different key skill areas.

Shooting

Love is emerging as one of the best deep-shooting power forwards in recent memory. He is currently third among power forwards in 3-point percentage, and it appears he's finding his rhythm (9-for-11 in his last two games). Last season, Love shot 41 percent from behind the arc. (By comparison, only once in 14 seasons has Dirk Nowitzki shot a better percentage.)

One of Griffin's points of emphasis this season was improving his outside shooting. While his 10-foot jumper has shown considerable improvement, his outside shot (and shot selection) continues to be the weakest part of his game. From 16 to 23 feet, no power forward is shooting more from that range at a lower percentage. Griffin attempts a whopping 4.7 shots per game from this distance. Translation: Nearly a quarter of his shots come from an area where he's shooting a paltry 30 percent (down from 33 last year).

To read more about how Kevin Love and Blake Griffin compare, become an ESPN Insider.

  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    Only three teams currently have needed cap space to test Denver's Chandler resolve: Pacers ($14+ mil), Kings ($9+ mil) and Cavs ($7.1 mil)
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    (CONT') W. Chandler would still be free to sign one-year deal w/Denver if he doesn't like long-term offer and become unrestricted FA in July
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    If Raps can't shed enough salary to extend "realistic" offer sheet and no other offer sheet surfaces, W. Chandler would then have right ...
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    But if Chandler is flirting w/Raps for leverage, as seems, it's a bit late for that after his agent already stated intent to re-sign in DEN
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    Chandler must land offer sheet from another team before March 1, if that's route he prefers, or else he can only play w/Denver this season
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    So word is Raps resigned to fact they can't give "realistic" offer sheet to RFA Chandler unless they first make separate deal to shed salary
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    As for Raps' interest in @wilsonchandler, TOR can currently offer multiyear deal starting at about $4.3M which Denver would match instantly
    about an hour ago     
  • ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
    Belated link to latest @ESPNSoccerToday podcast w/guests @alexmorgan13 & @raecomm here: http://t.co/idiKk3ml
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Who gets the MVP award from the Clippers 103-96 win over the Nuggets? Paul had 36-9, Griffin had 27-12-5.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @DimeAlert: That wraps it up from Staples. Griffin and Paul carry the Clippers to a 103-95 victory over the Nuggers.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    That wraps it up from Staples. Griffin and Paul carry the Clippers to a 103-95 victory over the Nuggers.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    There's Lawler's Law: First team to 100 wins. Clippers up 101-93 with a minute left. Paging T-Mac or Reggie Miller?
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    Once again, the Nuggets just haven't been able to score consistently down the stretch. Clippers are up 99-93 with 1:12 left to play.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Griffin has 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists to boot. Nuggets are in danger of being put away, down 7 with 2 minutes left.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • johnhollinger John Hollinger
    @kevinarnovitz I bet Julyan Stone (UTEP) has a Miners' hat.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • kevinarnovitz Kevin Arnovitz
    Harrington has been the beneficiary of Clips' coverage/traps/rotations, but can't find the hoop with a miner's hat.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @DimeUpdate: The Clippers are just barely holding off the Nuggets behind the play of Griffin and Paul. LAC 95 - DEN 92 with 3:29 left.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    The Clippers are just barely holding off the Nuggets behind the play of Griffin and Paul. LAC 95 - DEN 92 with 3:29 left.
    about 4 hours ago     
  • kevinarnovitz Kevin Arnovitz
    RT @docsheadgames: It was exactly a year ago that @diamond83 got first national interview of the historic win. Man, was that fun! http:/ ...
    about 4 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Blake Griffin is back on the floor, and Chris Paul returns with him. They've got some work to do -- Nuggets are up 2 with 6 minutes left.
    about 4 hours ago