Last Updated on July 23, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Bob Love developed into one of the most dependable forwards of his era, combining smooth scoring with strong all-around play on both ends of the floor. His rise from an uncertain start to becoming a cornerstone player showed the determination and work ethic that defined his career.

Here is detailed information about basketballer Bob Love:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Robert Earl Love
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: December 8, 1942
  • Hometown: Bombac, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
  • Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: Wore #10 during his career
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School: Webster Parish High School (Sibley, Louisiana)
  • College: Southern University
  • NBA Draft: 1965, 3rd round, 18th overall pick by the Cincinnati Royals
  • Teams Played For:
    • Cincinnati Royals (1965–1966)
    • Chicago Bulls (1968–1976)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1977)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not widely publicized

Player Archetype / Play Style

Bob Love was a smooth, high-level two-way forward who operated as a scoring wing in a power forward’s body, blending polished offense with rugged defensive value. At 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, he had ideal size for his era, along with a fluid shooting stroke and the kind of mobility that let him score from the mid-range while still handling physical frontcourt work. Offensively, Love’s role centered on steady half-court scoring, face-up play, and reliable jumper-based production, which is why he led Chicago in scoring for years. Defensively, he was far more than an afterthought, earning multiple All-Defensive selections through his toughness, positional discipline, and ability to hold up against bigger forwards. Overall, his style was that of a refined, dependable star forward: efficient, composed, and impactful on both ends without needing flash to control a game. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Bob Love had a scorer’s mentality, but what always impressed me was how little he relied on brute force to get to his spots. His game revolved around balance, clean footwork and a polished face-up attack that punished defenders who gave him even a sliver of space. He was especially comfortable catching around the elbows, taking one hard dribble into a pull-up or spinning back toward the middle if his defender overplayed the baseline. That’s where his offense consistently separated itself. He didn’t need an offense built entirely around isolations because he flowed naturally into secondary actions, slipping into open pockets after screens and making himself available when the first option disappeared. The interesting thing is that he rarely looked rushed, even when possessions became crowded. Defensively, he covered plenty of ground for a forward, sliding well enough to contain wings on the perimeter before using his length to contest without constantly reaching. He wasn’t a rim protector operating as the back-line anchor, but he understood when to rotate from the weak side and when to stay attached to shooters instead of chasing unnecessary blocks. The trade-off was that he wasn’t a natural offensive hub who consistently manipulated double teams with advanced passing, and physical defenders capable of crowding his preferred mid-range areas could force him into tougher attempts than he wanted. Even then, his touch allowed him to convert shots that most forwards would abandon. To me, Love fit best beside a primary playmaker who could collapse the defense and let him attack shifting coverages rather than stationary ones, while also pairing well with a true interior center who handled the heaviest rebounding assignments. There are shades of LaMarcus Aldridge in the smooth face-up scoring and comfort operating from the mid-post, while his ability to score efficiently without monopolizing possessions also brings to mind Tobias Harris at his best. Love’s game wasn’t about overwhelming defenders with spectacular athletic plays. It was about repeatedly arriving at the same handful of spots on the floor, knowing exactly how to create just enough separation, and making opponents feel as though they had defended the possession correctly before watching the ball drop through the net anyway.

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