There’s no “I” in team, but there’s no Anderson Varejao or Kevin Love on the Cleveland Cavaliers active roster, either.
Nevertheless, injuries didn’t stop the franchise from placing Varejao and Love alongside LeBron James on a banner advertising the team’s quest for an NBA Finals victory.
Sharp. #ALLinCLE pic.twitter.com/4mNpw4FHU8
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 3, 2015
No, this isn’t a matter of right and wrong, nor a question of advertising ethics. Put simply, it’s strange to see Varejao and Love on a banner.
Varejao sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in late December, so his inclusion is perplexing, to say the least. Love’s first campaign with the Cavaliers ended due to a dislocated shoulder caused by Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics during the first round of the playoffs.
Granted, unless Cleveland used Kyrie Irving—who is battling through a knee injury of his own—the team doesn’t have more recognizable names than a longtime-Cavalier in Varejao and nationally known star in Love.
That should also offer a little insight into Cleveland’s championship aspirations. If the Cavs—headlined by James, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov—somehow manage to overcome the Golden State Warriors, this will be LeBron’s best, most satisfying title ever.
And at that point, Mike Miller, James Jones and Matthew Dellavedova ought to be placed on a banner.
Photo: USA Today Sports