As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for a playoff run that will almost assuredly have them competing for the Eastern Conference title, more drama seems to be unfolding surrounding two of the team’s top stars.
We’ve heard reports throughout the season that LeBron James and Kevin Love aren’t exactly chumming it up on or off the court.
Now comes this piece from Frank Isola of the NY Daily News indicating that James isn’t exactly too happy with Love.
Several sources close to the situation in Cleveland claim that James has tried to make it work but that he’s frustrated by Love’s inability, and in some ways unwillingness, to get with the program. Remember, James pushed the Cavs to trade Wiggins to the Timberwolves to acquire Love, who could be one-and-done in Cleveland.
It’s not too surprising that Isola would paint a picture of Love potentially departing Cleveland after this year. Those rumors have persisted for some time now. It’s the power forward’s reported inability (and unwillingness) to actually work with James as well as future star Kyrie Irving that is a bit surprising.
In order for talent-laden teams to have success in the NBA today (see the Golden State Warriors), stars must give up some of their individual aspirations to better the overall team. That obviously hasn’t been the case with Love, at least according to James.
Whether James and Love are best friends, isn’t necessarily the point here. They just have to be able to coexist on the court. And in reality, that’s been happening more recently. Cleveland is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference and has won eight of its last 10 games. Loves is also coming off a 22-point, 10-rebound performance in a win against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night.
Photo: USA Today