Happy 27th, Kevin Love: 5 unforgettable plays from the Cavaliers big man

Kevin Love's inaugural season with the Cleveland Cavaliers was a mixed bag at best, culminating in the three-time All-Star injuring his shoulder in the opening round of the playoffs. The injury ended his chances of helping his team hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy, with the Cavs losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, as Love's frontcourt presence was sorely missed.

Today, the 6-foot-10 power forward turns 27 years old, which means he can take some time off from whatever rehabilitation or basketball activity he had planned, relax, and enjoy himself like everyone should on their birthday.

It's hard to imagine Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk being invited to any of Love's birthday festivities, though.

Here's a look back at some of the most memorable plays of Love's seven-year career, including highlights from his run with the Minnesota Timberwolves:

Forever Open

A cold-blooded dagger.

It was perfect execution on the part of the Timberwolves, with guards Ricky Rubio and Wayne Ellington impeding DeAndre Jordan's path to Love, who drained a wide-open 3-pointer to win the game at the Staples Center. Luke Ridnour's reaction is priceless.

How's It Feel, Vince?

This play is completely backwards. Isn't Vince Carter supposed to be the one posterizing defenders around the basket?

Not on this occasion, though, as Love gave "Vinsanity" a taste of his own medicine, throwing down the one-handed facial in New Jersey.

Sons of Westwood

Love and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook played alongside each other with UCLA in 2007-08.

In this head-to-head matchup at the professional level, Love drained a long-range bomb in the eye of his former college teammate, tying the game at 116. Despite losing the hotly contested battle in double-overtime, Love ultimately came out of the affair smelling like roses, having dropped a career-high 51 points on 16-of-27 shooting.

Love Thy King

The relationship between Love and LeBron James had its ups and downs throughout the 2014-15 campaign, with the two butting heads on occasion. Love was no longer the man like he was in Minnesota, having to cut back his role on offense to cater to his higher-profile teammates.

Moments like this reminded fans that the good of the team always came first, with Love connecting on a gorgeous mid-court alley-oop pass from the four-time MVP in the opening round of the playoffs.

Go Deep, Tristan

Love has some Brett Favre in him, with a knack for heaving the ball down the length of the court to find an open teammate.

He's done it so frequently that it's easy to take that kind of skill for granted. However, not just anyone has the ability to combine stellar power and accuracy to the degree Love does.