UCLA Basketball: Watch Veteran Former Bruin Notch Opening Night Double-Double
Former UCLA Bruin and NBA champion Kevin Love impressed in his season debut with the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
The former No. 5 overall pick returned to the Eastern Conference champions in the offseason and rewarded the team with an impressive opening showing.
Love notched 13 points and ten rebounds in 28 minutes of action for Miami's home opener to kick off their 2023 season.
The former Timberwolves standout joined his former teammate in great season debuts as Russell Westbrook also impressed in his first game with the Clippers.
Several questions around Miami's roster persisted throughout the offseason as the recent Finals runner-up wanted to add to their talented duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Early rumors indicated that the Heat were in on then Wizard Bradley Beal as a potent offensive scorer on a team that sorely needed it against Denver.
Miami failed to acquire him, but Heat fans assured themselves that Pat Riley was simply playing the long game for superstar point guard Damian Lillard.
Lillard adamantly stressed that he wanted out of Portland and that his sole focus was to find his way to South Beach one way or another.
It came as a shock to the NBA world when Lillard instead became a Buck after the Heat refused to up their offer despite the entire summer to rework their package.
Love was never in danger of being dealt for either star, but Beal or Lillard would have definitely improved Miami's chances to maintain Eastern dominance.
Instead, the Bucks and Celtics each benefitted from the fallout as both teams improved their own starting point guard situations.
Though their future doesn't project well due to stagnation on their roster, Love's individual consistency will be a critical factor in Miami's ultimate goals.
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