Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love, once a key part of Cleveland’s 2016 NBA Finals team, is expected to leave the team soon. Reports suggest that the team is finalizing options to buy out his contract, a four-year, $120 million deal which expires at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Before the trade deadline, Cavaliers president Koby Altman denied rumors of a buyout but confirmed that Love was missing out on opportunities in Cleveland.

“It’s not easy for Kevin, I’m sure,” Altman said. “I’ve had conversations with him. He wants to play. I think he’ll have an opportunity to play again this year. But where we’re at now, I think [head coach J.B. Bickerstaff] is really comfortable with the rotation that we have.”

Love has not appeared in 12 straight games for the Cavaliers and will miss another Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. A report from the Athletic’s Shams Charania suggest that the buyout will be finalized following the game.

After years as a starter on Cleveland’s roster, Love assumed a bench position in the 2021-22 season and has served as a reserve ever since. As the Cavaliers continue building around a young core of players, buying out Love’s contract could give them space to acquire new talent or retain younger members in the offseason.

Coming off the bench last season, Love managed to score 13.6 points per game with 7.2 rebounds, but the 34-year-old’s production has suffered this season. Though he has only managed 8.5 points per game, it’s likely that other teams would be interested in signing him if he becomes available.

The Miami Heat has already been rumored to be a potential suitor, and though that has been the only organization rumored to be interested thus far, analysts also speculate that the Suns, Lakers and others could also use his services. As a paint presence off the bench, Love could still prove useful for a number of teams fine-tuning their rosters before the postseason.

According to a newly released report from his agent, USA forward Kevin Love is withdrawing from the team traveling to Tokyo in a few weeks for the Olympic Games. JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson will be filling the open spots on the 12-man roster.

Love spent 10 days with Team USA preparing for the Olympic Games in Las Vegas. Love is still rebounding from a calf injury he sustained that minimized his playing time this year in the NBA. In total, Love missed 45 games. “I am incredibly disappointed to not be heading to Tokyo with Team USA, but you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level and I am just not there yet,” Love said in a statement.

Love has played a significant role in Team USA’s success, helping guide them to a gold medal in 2012 at the Olympic Games, as well as securing the same success at the 2010 world championships.

Johnson has spent significant time with Team USA, specifically on their development team. McGee has no prior Olympic experience; he will report to Las Vegas to train with the team immediately.

Team USA’s final exhibition game before the Olympics comes Sunday against Spain. They will face France in their Olympic opener.

Back in 2017, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love exited an NBA game because he had a panic attack. In an article he wrote for The Players Tribune, Love opened up about what had transpired on that November night. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people have been out of touch with those who they love the most and because of this, this has Love worried.

In speaking with ESPN, Love expressed his fear on the impact of what isolation can have on someone. “Listen, I don’t have all the answers – and likely never will. But speaking from experience, I can tell you there are resources out there that can help you. It’s really scary what’s going on in the world right now. But you don’t have to suffer through it alone. Take it from someone who did that for far too long.”

One of the biggest fears of mental health experts during these unprecedented times has been people who suffer from mental health issues could do some things detrimental to their health and well being, especially if they are quarantining alone. 

Experts have suggested that if you know someone who struggles with mental health issues is to reach out as often as possible as a means to check in and make sure that they are doing ok. 

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Cavaliers’ forward Kevin Love made a generous donation of $100,000 to financially support the employees of the Rocket Mortage Fieldhouse on Thursday, following the NBA’s decision to postpone games for at least the next 30 days due to the coronavirus.

“My hope is that others will step up!!” Love told ESPN via text message.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Love’s gesture was built off the Cavalier’s statement on Thursday to establish “a compensation plan to continue paying our event staff and hourly workforce that is impacted with the changes to our regular event schedule.”
According to a team spokesperson, there are “well over a thousand” employees combined working at the Cavaliers arena and other venues near by,

Love posted a picture on his Instagram with construction workers that were recently there for renovation improvements to the arena. The caption read, “Through the game of basketball, we’ve been able to address major issues and stand together as a progressive league that cares about the players, the fans, and the communities where we work. I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling and that is why I’m committing $100,000 through the Kevin Love Fund in support of the Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season. I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ph25mgJtQ/

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban echoed a similar plan to support the employees at the American Airlines Arena, the home of the Mavericks and Dallas Stars.

“I reached out to the folks at the arena and our folks at the Mavs to find out what it would cost to financially support people who aren’t going to be able to come to work — you know, they get paid by the hour, and this is their source of income,” Cuban said during a press conference Wednesday. “We’ll do some things there. We may ask them to go do some volunteer work in exchange, but we’ve already started the process of having a program in place. I don’t have any details to give, but it’s certainly something that’s important to me.”

Hawks owner Tony Ressler followed suit and pledged to create an income plan for all employees at the State Farm Arena, the home of the Hawks. “We are indeed and feel strongly it’s both the right thing to do and good business,” Ressler told The Athletic.

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA Finals in 2016, but it was not without its controversy. Kevin Love spoke out this week regarding a cryptic message LeBron James tweeted during their time together.

Love was traded to the Cavaliers in 2014 where he went from being the first option on offense to the second, or even third. Apparently, this was not an easy adjustment for him and the team. Love expressed his thoughts about the fit in/out thing recently, when he spoke with Jason Lloyd of The Athletic:

GET DEALS ON CAVALIERS TICKETS HERE!

”I think on one end it was extremely passive-aggressive and silly, but at the same time, I feel like I did have to find my way and fit in. But it wasn’t an easy process for me. I think right now if that happened — it wouldn’t because I believe who I am now and the growth I’ve had — but I truly believe that you have to understand. ” Love said, “That’s why I never make assumptions. We’ve talked before about ‘The Four Agreements,’ right? Never make assumptions, never take anything personally. Well, obviously I took that personally. I wish I could’ve handed them that book and been like, ‘Listen, you’ve got to understand what it was like to be the main focus, 20 shots a night, be ‘the guy.’”

“My star dimmed a little bit to have to sacrifice. So at least just acknowledge it. All I wanted was a little bit of love. All I wanted was (a pat on the back, an arm around the shoulder). I never got that. I think I just wanted a little bit of love. Not even notoriety, just an acknowledgment of, ‘Hey, listen, we know that you’re sacrificing.’ That was not there the first year. I think Champ (James Jones) helped me to understand, ‘Listen, just be yourself and everything else will fall into place.’ But to really fully get there, it took me a year and some change.”

Love was averaging over 26 points per game and 12.5 rebounds while with Minnesota, but dipped the first year with the Cavs to 16 points per game and 9.7 rebounds while shooting almost six less points.

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Rumors have been circulating that Cleveland is looking to trade Love.

Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Cavaliers CEO, has been released from the hospital after he went earlier last month for suffering a stroke, it was announced Thursday.

“Dan is looking forward to beginning an intensive rehabilitation program and is eager to continue the progress he has made over the last several weeks,” said Quicken Loans CEO Jay Farner, according to ESPN.

Gilbert was in his hometown of Detroit after he was feeling ill and asked a friend to take him to a nearby hospital. The 57-year-old is now in a rehabilitation center and is in recovery.

The Cavaliers are in the lottery with the fifth pick in the 2019 draft on Thursday. With Colin Sexton and Kevin Love returning to the team, it’s unsure what the Cavs will do with this pick. Sports Illustrated’s most recent mock draft has the Cavs snagging Vanderbilt’s guard Darius Garland. While Garland is a fantastic player, it’s unsure how the Cavs would line up with Sexton returning for his sophomore year. Gilbert might be looking around at options to trade the former Alabama guard along with Love, who both may prove to be an asset in the Cavs’ rebuilding process. With Gilbert hiring former Michigan head coach John Beilein, who is making his first appearance in the NBA, it could be exciting times for Cleveland as a new vision is going to be brought in.

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It all depends on what the New Orleans Pelicans decide to do with their fourth pick in the draft. Whether they decide to trade it for an NBA veteran (which they lack), or continue their dream-team of young stars full of potential, it remains to be seen. If De’Andre Hunter remains on the board for the Cavs, Gilbert’s team will recognize that he would be the best fit for the franchise. Although they have Love and it’s unsure what their future plans are with him, they could play Hunter at the four, as Love as experience at the five, if they were to keep him. The franchise also has Tristian Thompson to work with.

The Cavs had Gilbert’s son, Nick Gilbert, represent the Cavs at the lottery on May 14, and he brought some luck with him for his dad and his team, as they can build off this No. 5 pick for the future of the franchise.

Lebron James heads home Wednesday for the first time in the 2018-2019 season as the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (2-13).

NBA Game 16 PREVIEW: Cavs vs. lakers

After winning five of their last six games, the Lakers (9-7) should enter tonight’s matchup with a bit more swagger and confidence. Meanwhile, the Cavs have zero steam to run on, after losing Kevin Love to a toe injury and JR Smith to a lack of play time.

Wednesday marks a six-day stretch for the Cavaliers and the first of two games this season against the Lakers. The Cavs have the NBA’s worst record and are trailing the East’s No.1 seed, the Toronto Raptors (14-4), by 10.5 games.

Cav’s forward Love underwent toe surgery Nov. 2, and the team later announced that he would be out at least six weeks. Six weeks from the surgery would be Dec. 14.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Jordan Clarkson has stepped up as the Cavs’ leading scorer in Love’s absence, with 15.4 points per game. Clarkson has scored in double figures in 14 of Cleveland’s 15 games and ranks fourth among all NBA bench players. Rookie point guard Collin Sexton has started the last five games for an injured George Hill and is second on the team in scoring, averaging 18.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

The Cavs rank last in 3-pointers made and no one on the team is averaging more than 3.5 assists. The Cavs lost 113-102 Monday night to the Detriot Pistons (8-6).

November has been good to Lebron. It would seem as if the four-time MVP has finally found his rhythm in L.A., scoring a season-high 51 points against the Miami Heat (6-10) in their 113-97  win Sunday night, and 44 points in their 126-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers (10-4) last Wednesday.

James is shooting 50 percent from three-point range on 6.5 attempts per game. He’s second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.8 points and has already become the first player in Lakers history to total at least 265 points, 75 rebounds and 75 assists in his first ten games with the team.

The addition of veteran center Tyson Chandler has boosted the Lakers, as they currently rank second in points in the paint, averaging 56.8, and second in fastbreak points, averaging 21.6. Chandler currently ranks third on the NBA’s career field goal percentage list (.596). 

The game will air on ESPN, SPEC and FSOH at 8:00 p.m. EST.

The frustration was mounting for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period of Thursday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Had JR Smith not completely bungled the final play of regulation, Cleveland could have potentially taken an unlikely 1-0 series lead over the Golden State Warriors, but overtime was forced instead and the Cavs collapsed. The Warriors outscored them 17-7, ultimately leading to a final score of 124-114, but the game wasn’t exactly over in the final seconds of overtime.

The Cavs players on the court at the end of the game seemed to take exception to Warriors guard Shaun Livingston pulling up for a jump shot with just a few seconds left so as to not draw a shot clock violation. Cavs center Tristan Thompson went up to contest the shot, but was given a flagrant 2 foul after a referee decreed that Thompson sent an unwarranted elbow into Livingston’s chest. The call was extremely controversial, as it was unclear to most of us whether or not there was even contact, let alone intentionally malicious contact. Thompson was then tossed from the game and visibly upset.

After the game, Thompson said, “I contested a shot that shouldn’t have been taken. I mean, it’s like the unspoken rule in the NBA: If you’re up 10 or 11 with about 20 seconds left, you don’t take that shot. I make the contest, and next thing I know, I was being kicked out for a good contest that we learn in training camp. I don’t know why I got thrown out.”

A fight broke out following the call when Warriors forward Draymond Green approached Thompson, clapping his hands. Thompson then shoved the ball into Green’s face and players on both teams started scuffling. The fight only lasted a few seconds and nobody was hurt, but Cavaliers big man Kevin Love was facing potential consequences for his role.

When the skirmish began, Love rushed onto the court from the bench. While he didn’t throw any punches himself, a player who leaves his team’s bench and goes onto the court when a fight has broken out is subject to suspension. This would be a huge blow to the Cavaliers, as Love looks to play a big part in whether or not his team has success.

Luckily for Cleveland, the NBA has announced that they will not be serving Love a suspension. Whether or not this is due to the fact that he was only briefly on the floor before being pulled in by coaches is unclear, but it’s a relief to a Cavaliers team which needs him in the game if they’re going to come back after going down 1-0 following Game 1. As of this writing, no word has been released on whether or not Thompson will face a suspension.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals will be played on Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 pm EST, and you can check it out on ABC.

March was a difficult month for Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue. His roster had just undergone a drastic shift following a series of wild moves at the trade deadline, his team was stagnating in their pursuit for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and he was facing health difficulties which prevented him from finishing several games. He was apparently suffering from chest pains, which sometimes resulted in him coughing up blood. This eventually forced him to take some time off from coaching in order to treat what was, at that point, an undisclosed issues.

Earlier this week, however, Lue went public with a more in depth revelation about his absence, as he told Rachel Nichols of ESPN that he had been suffering from severe anxiety. He also mentioned that he is now on medication, which he indicates as provided him with a significant amount of relief.

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Lue told Nichols it was “Just anxiety, and the medication I’m on is great. No more chest pains, so everything’s been great.” He also indicated that it was difficult for him to take time off from the team, as he said, “I think for the first time in my career, 20 years, I had a chance to focus on me. It wasn’t as bad as people thought it was, but I did have some chest pains for the last couple of years. And I was just trying to be able to get through it not knowing what was wrong with me.

Thankfully, Lue stated that the changes he made in is lifestyle during those two weeks have been instrumental in improving his quality of life, saying, “So the two weeks I took off, just finally had a chance to focus on myself and change my diet. Hired a chef. Stopped drinking as many Shirley Temples. And stopped with the sweets and got back to taking care of myself. Now I feel great.”

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Lue’s revelation has come at the heels of an interesting time in the NBA, which has featured multiple star players come forth in telling the public that they suffer from mental health issues. In February, Toronto Raptors star guard DeMar DeRozan opened up about his struggles with depression. Then in March, around that time that Lue’s anxiety symptoms reached their climax, Cavaliers forward/center Kevin Love told reporters that he had suffered a panic attack in the middle of a November contest against the Atlanta Hawks.

While there is still a stigma surrounding mental illness in America, especially in the world of sports, it’s encouraging to see such prominent athletic figures coming forth to speak about their own struggles with mental health. It’s also great to see Lue back on the sidelines as the Cavaliers take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the fourth year in a row.

Kevin Love left the Cleveland Cavaliers’ terrible 98-79 loss to the Heat in Miami in the second quarter on Tuesday night following a gruesome tooth injury.

Kevin Love tooth injury update

The power forward was elbowed in the face by Jordan Mickey while attempting to take a charge and did not return. The Caaliers later announced that Love displayed signs of a concussion.

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Love recently returned from a 21-game absence due to a broken left hand. Thus far, the veteran has been averaging 18 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from 3-point range.

Love also published an article in The Players’ Tribune earlier this month about mental health, using his experience of suffering a panic attack before a game at the beginning of the season as an example for discussing the issue.

Cleveland (44-30) is third in the Eastern Conference seven games behind the second-place Boston Celtics and half a game behind the fourth-place Philadelphia 76ers. The Cavs next visit Charlotte on Wednesday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to place much of the blame for Saturday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma City on Kevin Love, but Tyronn Lue has stepped in to shut down these comments.

Tyronn Lue comments on kevin love

“It’s not about one person, it’s about all of us,” said coach Lue. “We’ve got to respond. It’s time to start playing better. We’ve got guys back healthy, we’ve got to start performing, start playing better.”

Cavs players complained that Love only played 3:04 in the 148-124 defeat because he felt sick, then went home before the game ended and didn’t attend Sunday’s practice. They questioned both love and the entire organization for not accounting for where Love was in the second half.

Lue said trainer Steven Spiro told him about Love’s migraine symptoms on Sunday, so the coach said blaming the five-time All-Star forward was misguided.

“I mean, that’s crazy,” Lue said. “If Kevin was out there we might have given up 170. Who knows, man. We’ve got to be better, got to just stay together. We’re being tested right now. This is when your true character comes out and the character of who you are as a person and as a player. We’ve got to step up and play basketball.”

Love has made teammate LeBron James angry in the past. Asked if he felt like he was being scapegoated, Love simply said: “I think you guys can answer that.”

“It’s not about me,” Love said. “I’m not going to make it about myself. I’m sure with other guys it’s the same thing.”

James’ thoughts on the Cavs’ current situation are not known, as the star forward refused to comment.

The Cavaliers (27-19, third in Eastern Conference) also lost to San Antonio on Tuesday and next host Indiana on Friday night. Cleveland has lost seven of nine games.

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 5: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of a preseason game at Quicken Loans Arena on October 5, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will replace injured Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love for Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, the league announced Wednesday.

Carmelo Anthony to Take Kevin Love’s All-Star Game Spot

According to ESPN, Anthony accepted the invite from commissioner Adam Silver earlier in the day, after Silver offered him a place on the Eastern Conference roster.

This marks Anthony’s 10th All-Star selection. The 13-year veteran had planned a vacation with his family before he was contacted by Silver.

“It means a lot,” Anthony said. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s still an honor to be named to the All-Star team, to go out there and represent despite everything that’s been going on, that’s surrounding us, that’s surrounding me, that’s surrounding our organization. To still go out there and represent not just the organization but New York City as a whole, it’s still an honor to do that.”

Love, meanwhile, hard arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Anthony and Love were recently tied to rumors of a trade between the Knicks and Cavaliers, although LeBron James quickly shut down those rumors last week, condemning the New York Daily News reporter who claimed James had pushed for such an exchange.

The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 23.

One NBA veteran who was not happy with the league’s decision to replace Love with Anthony was Jared Dudley, who signed a three-year deal with the Phoenix Suns in July. Dudley, who previously played for the Washington Wizards, complained about Anthony’s selection in a series of tweets Thursday, calling the decision “the definition of politics” and saying Wizards guard Bradley Beal should have replaced Love instead.

Wizards center Marcin Gortat retweeted several of Dudley’s tweets and concurred it was a “big shame” that Anthony was chosen over Beal.

Anthony is having another strong year. He is averaging 23.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

When criticized by other Twitter users who said they believed Dudley simply disliked Anthony, Dudley quickly responded he had nothing against the Knicks star, and argued he believed Beal was more deserving of the All-Star nod because the Wizards (33-21) are the No. 3 team in the Eastern Conference, as opposed to the Knicks, (23-34) who are 12th and will likely miss this year’s playoffs.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.

LeBron James has learned to handle questions regarding the veracity of rumors throughout his career, and on Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers forward responded to one false rumor without fear.

LeBron James ON Latest Kevin Love Trade Rumor

Following the Cavs’ 140-135 overtime win in Washington on Monday, James was asked about a recent New York Daily News report that cited an NBA source as claiming James is pushing Cleveland’s front office to trade Kevin Love to the Knicks in exchange for Carmelo Anthony.

James, who said he was already aware of the piece, didn’t hold back on his criticism of both the report and the author.

“I saw it and heard about it,” he said. “It’s trash. And the guy who wrote it is trash too, for writing that, especially during the game like that.”

James added that false reports like that are simply “outside noise” for the Cavs, who are just concentrating on winning another NBA championship like they did last year.

“Our GM will do a great job of figuring out if we need something else, but right now we’re in a good place,” the forward said.

Love and Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue also shut down the rumor.

“What do they say?” Love said before reciting a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill. “‘A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put his pants on.’ So, it’s a lie.

“You know, if Bron is having any problem with me,” Love said before smiling and snickering. “I mean, it’s just not true. It’s almost laughable. I’m on this team. I’m going to be on this team. And we want to win with the guys that we have.”

Lue simply stated: “Kevin should be happy that teams want him, but he’s not going anywhere.”

Cavaliers General manager David Griffin told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon following Monday’s win that James had not pushed him to trade Love to the Knicks.

James and Love combined for 71 points, 19 rebounds and 20 assists en route to ending the Wizards’ 17-game home winning streak Monday.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23.

The Cavs, (35-15) who have won five of their last six games, next visit Indiana on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the second half against the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the 2016 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

NBA Finals MVP, Cleveland hero and veritable ‘king’ of the world, Lebron James, has chosen to exercise his player option for the 2016-2017 season, foregoing a $24 million contract with the Cavaliers, according to his agent, +.

The move appears to be nothing more than a formality for James, who is seeking to be paid as the NBA’s best player, while maintaining pledge to remain in Cleveland, 40 miles from his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

“I love it here in Cleveland,” James said during the Cavs Championship parade last week. “I have no intentions of leaving. There are some technicalities to take care of I’ll leave up to my agent. That’s right from the horse’s mouth.”

It is the third consecutive season King James has tested free agency, after alerting Cleveland’s front office of his decision to opt out ahead of the deadline to do so, which would have expired at midnight Wednesday.

James is coming off the second season of his return to Cleveland, which promptly ended a 53-year title drought for the city, reaching his sixth consecutive NBA Finals, while serving as a catalyst to a historic comeback that ended with his third championship crown.

After averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in the Finals rematch with the Golden State Warriors, James prompted the unavoidable question: Is he the G.O.A.T?

Teammate Kyrie Irving certainly seemed to think so.

“Best player on the planet,” Irving said of James after the Cavs clinched the title in Game 7.

Coming off a regular season where he posted averages of 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists, James saw Cleveland’s ‘Big 3’ –comprised of himself, Irving and Kevin Love — finally find a rhythm on the floor. Roles were established and each player rose to the ocassion with the season on the line.

Love’s defensive effort against Steph Curry in the final minute of Game 7 helped clinch the title for Cleveland, coming just after Irving hit the shot of his life, a step-back 3, right in Curry’s face to break a 89-89 tie with 53 seconds left to give the Cavs a lead they would never relinquish.

KYRIE IRVING LIFTS CAVS TO TITLE WITH 3 OVER STEPH CURRY

If Curry answered with a triple of his own at the other end, we may have quickly forgotten Irving’s ice-in-his-veins jumper. Instead, Love dispelled the rumblings that he was a lazy, lackadaisical defender, by keeping Curry from getting a good look at the basket, twice, in one of the Warrior’s final offensive sequences of the season.

“When (Curry) threw it up, he usually shoots it and looks at you.” Love told Late Night’s Stephen Colbert, “So I kinda had to look back and think, ‘OK, he’s not looking at me, I contested the shot, I think I’m OK.’ And he missed it short,”

KEVIN LOVE SHUTS DOWN STEPH CURRY

James is eager to return and defend the title he fought so long to capture. Turning 32 in December, James understands that his window for elite play is beginning to close.

The Cavs will undoubtedly resign the world best basketball player. The only question remaining is: For how much?

Trailing the defending world champion Golden State Warriors, 2-0, in the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be without a key cog in the team’s big three: Big Love.

Cavs Forward Kevin Love Ruled Out For Game 3 With Concussion

Kevin Love was told he will sit tonight’s Game 3 matchup in Cleveland, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, after suffering a concussion as a result of an elbow to the head from Warriors forward Harrison Barnes with 5:14 remaining in the second quarter of Game 2 out in Oakland.

BARNES BRINGS DOWN LOVE WITH INADVERTENT ELBOW

Stein, quoting a source, said Love is “really frustrated” that he will not be back on the court Wednesday to help his team chip away at the Dubs 2-0 series lead.

The 6-foot-11, stretch-four, did participate in Wednesday morning’s shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena, but team officials told Love that the earliest he could get back on the floor in a game would be Game 4 on Friday night in Cleveland.

Cleveland was having enough trouble trying to contain the clown car of talent that has become the Warriors backcourt.

Through the first two games, backup guards Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa are shooting 81% from the floor (21-of-26), while reigning MVP Steph Curry and ‘splash brother’ Klay Thompson have combined to average just 27.5 points per game.

If Curry and Thompson make a splash tonight in Game 3, it’s sayonara for Lebron James and the Cavs.

The Eastern Conference Finals have been a tale of two cities.  Heading into tonight’s Game 6 in Toronto, the home team has won every game in the series, which Cleveland leads 3-2.  The Raptors have not just lost while in Ohio, they’ve been obliterated.  The average margin of defeat in their three losses on the road is 29 points.

Even if the Raptors can even the series with a victory tonight, they must conquer their house of horrors in Cleveland.  Their two All-Stars, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have played considerably worse at Quicken Loans Arena than the friendly confines of the Air Canada Centre.  During Games 3 and 4 at home, Lowry averaged 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and four assists.  On the road, those averages drop to 10 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.  Lowry’s turnovers are also alarmingly higher on the road, averaging 4.6 turnovers in road games to just 2.5 at home.  Shooting wise, Lowry is hitting just 33% of his shots in Cleveland compared to 64% at home.

For the most part DeRozan has shot well on the road, with the exception of Game 5.  Despite shooting 44%, the shooting guard is only averaging 18 points in Cleveland.  Those numbers are a stark contrast to his performance at home, where DeRozan put up 32 in both Games 3 and 4 while shooting 55% from the floor.

If Kevin Love can find some consistency, the Cavaliers will be tough to beat wherever they play, but Love has really struggled on the road in this series.  He managed just 13 total points in Games 3 and 4 combined and shot 5-23.  Cleveland needs his production to take pressure off of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and to avoid relying on role players to produce big nights.  Channing Frye and J.R. Smith aren’t always going to get you 20-25 points a game, so having someone of Love’s caliber finding consistency would be a huge plus for the Cavs.

Should the Raptors pull through in Game 6, I still don’t think it will be enough to turn the tide in this series.  Toronto has only won two road games during the postseason and with the way Cleveland’s role players have produced at home, I just don’t see James letting a sixth straight NBA Finals appearance slipping from his grasp.  Toronto has the talent to upset the Cleveland, but it will take a lot more than talent to knock off the King and send him home.

On Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers proved that they have more than just LeBron James to rely on. One year after James carried the Cavs as far as he could in the postseason, he now thankfully has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to help him out.

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Lead Cavs To 106-101 Win Over Pistons In Playoff

Irving scored 31 points and Love added 28 to lead the Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the opening game of their first-round playoff series at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Sunday.

James added another 22 points and 11 assists for the top-seeded Cavs, who are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference again this year.

Cleveland’s championship chances were severely hurt last year after Love dislocated his shoulder in just his fourth playoff game at Boston. The Cavs advanced to the Finals without him, but unfortunately Irving broke his kneecap in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors.

“For these two guys, they were just excited to get back to this moment,” James said after Sunday’s game, looking relived. “These guys have been working hard, Kyrie on his knee, Kevin on his shoulder just to get back to this moment. It was great to be out on the floor with them and for them to put together the performance that they did.”

Love hit two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Cavs overcame a seven-point deficit by outscoring the Pistons 30-18 over the final 10:52.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris led the Pistons with 21 and 20 points respectively, and Reggie Jackson added another 17. Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, who made 15 3-pointers but missed a few open ones down the stretch. The game marked the young Pistons’ first playoff appearance since 2009. The team only boasts one starter with playoff experience, yet they were able to match the Cavaliers shot for shot. Jackson’s 3-pointer tied the game at 88 with 6:29 left.

However, Love then sank consecutive 3s to put the Cavs up by four. “My mentality was to be aggressive all night,” said Love, who had 13 rebounds. “We have to do that the entire series.”

After the Cavs led 100-96, James scored a layup and Jackson missed a 3-pointer before Irving’s two free throws gave Cleveland an eight-point lead.

Game 2 of the series is Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw1KpjkUtkk

PHOTO: CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Marcus Morris #13 of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter of the NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena on April 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 106-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers paid a steep price to acquire Kevin Love in August 2014. And while his production has dropped playing along side LeBron James, he’s still one of the better players in the NBA. So could the Cavs really be entertaining the idea of trading him away?

General manager David Griffin insists that’s not the case. “You’d have to go a long way to convince me that we’re a better team winning in the Finals without a player like Kevin on our team,” Griffin said in an interview on ESPN 850 AM in Cleveland. “We’ve never once put together an offer involving Kevin, nor have we taken a call on an offer for Kevin.”

“We think very highly of Kevin, and we believe Kevin thinks very highly of this situation,” Griffin continued. “But I can also tell you that we have been very clear from the beginning that there’s no such thing as untouchables.”

Griffin has already shaken things up by firing head coach David Blatt, despite his 30-11 record this season.  It’s also worth remembering that the Cavs’ new head coach, Tyronn Lue, wants to play an up-tempt style which, at least as of now, doesn’t suit Love’s strengths.

Griffin’s previous actions have also cast doubt on his support of Love. The general manager has stated that James was not involved in the decision to fire Blatt; regardless of the influence the star player had, it would be remiss for Griffin to not even consult his best player about the decision.

Photo: Kevin Love and Lebron James

When your star player and head coach challenge you, you usually listen. The Cleveland Cavaliers definitely did.

Both LeBron James and David Blatt questioned the Cavs toughness during a losing streak, the team stepped up to the plate. Facing a Milwaukee Bucks team that beat them over the weekend, Cleveland looked like the title contender they should be in a 115-100 win.

Unsurprisingly, James led the Cavs to victory with 27 points; Kevin Love and J.R. Smith chipped in with 22 and 18 respectively. Love also pulled down 15 rebounds.

“This is how we need to play,” James said. “There’s no ifs ands or buts. I think we answered the call on what we talked about. We’re just trying to get better.” Coach Blatt also praised the players playing with the intensity that he wanted.

“It’s not about what I said, it’s about what they did,” he explained. “I thought those guys came with a real purpose tonight. You saw it on them. You saw it in their approach. We were sharp and we were aggressive and we were physical and we were pretty tough.”

The only potential blemish on the night for Cleveland was an injury to center Timofey Mozgov’s right shoulder in the second quarter; he did not to return. But, even with the absence Mozgov and Mo Williams, James insisted that his team had to focus on playing the right way above all else. “One thing you can’t control is injuries but one thing you can control is how you play with the guys who are out there,” he said.

Cleveland will look to continue on the right foot Saturday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

After previous reports, Kevin Love is officially re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He unveiled his decision by writing a piece called “Unfinished Business” for The Players’ Tribune.

Kevin Love Agrees To Five-Year Deal

In the short two paragraph piece, he described his dream to play in the NBA Finals and fondness for the Cleveland Cavaliers organization as his reasons for coming back.

“I’m going back to Cleveland,” he wrote. “After Game 1 of the NBA Finals, that’s when it really struck me. Sitting on the sidelines, I never wanted to play in a game more than that one. I had dreamed of playing in the NBA Finals and I just wanted to help my guys win. I couldn’t have been prouder of them as they poured their blood, sweat and tears onto the court.”

“Yeah, of course I’ve heard the free agency rumors. But at the end of the day, and after meeting with my teammates (it turns out pools are great meeting places) and with the front office, it was clear Cleveland was the place for me. We’re all on the same page and we’re all in. We have unfinished business and now it’s time to get back to work.”

And apparently, the deal, which will be signed on July 9, is for a maximum five-year contract, worth $110 million, according to Brian Windhorst’s sources. There is no word on whether there will be an opt out clause to coincide with the new television deal in 2016-17, but the Cleveland fanbase has to be relieved with the outcome.

Through all the rumors, Love stuck to his word and agreed to a long-term deal, which will likely give him the best chance to compete for an NBA title.

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