Forget James and Irving, Love is now the focal point in Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND: Kevin Love (pic) wore a pair of LeBron James’ signature sneakers on media day. It’s the last time he’ll try to fill them.
Four years after aligning with James and Kyrie Irving to form a Big Three of stars that ended Cleveland’s five-decades-long championship drought by winning an NBA title in 2016, Love is the only one who remains with the Cavaliers.
While James left for Los Angeles as a free agent this summer, and Irving forced his way to Boston via trade a year ago, Love has found a home – and peace – in Cleveland.
Before James announced that the next chapter of his career would be written in Hollywood, Love – who had been the focus of trade rumours almost from the moment he arrived – told the Cavs he was willing to lead.
“I’m staying,” he informed general manager Koby Altman. “I want to be a part of this.”
“This” is life without James, the end of the four-year run and start of a rebuild as massive as the US$140mil (RM412mil) renovation taking place at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavaliers’ downtown home that is no longer one of the league’s hottest spots with James gone.
But while the Cavs are no longer an elite team or national TV fixture, Love believes Cleveland’s competitive days aren’t done.
“We’re going to be a team that surprises a lot of people,” said Love, who signed a four-year, US$120mil (RM353mil) contract extension.
“(Coach) Ty Lue knows what he wants from us and vice versa. We have guys who have been here. We have guys who know how to win, knowing in losing the best player in the world we’re going to have a fresh start.”
None of the Cavaliers players, coaches or front-office members would ever use that word publicly to describe not having James. However, there is a sense of freedom that didn’t exist while waiting and wondering about his next move.
Everything will be different going forward for the Cavs, who must learn to play a different brand of ball.
“Life’s going to be a lot different for us going forward, basketball-wise,” veteran forward Kyle Korver said.
“We went to LeBron because we were supposed to go to LeBron. Now, there’s an opportunity for new. No one is LeBron, but we get to figure out new things. We get to create a new identity.”
For the 30-year-old Love, who last year revealed he has had anxiety issues, Cleveland’s new situation is reminiscent of his six seasons in Minnesota. He was the focal point – on and off the floor.
He is the main man again, and Love is relishing the chance to show he can still carry a franchise.
“I know what I’m capable of,” he said.
“I was the second option last year, the third option a couple of years prior and I had to learn how to sacrifice. Now I’m considered the first option. It’s a constant evolution. I’m heading into my 11th year, so I have to figure out with this team how it’s going to affect us in the best way possible in order for us to win.” — AP