Kevin Love looked pretty good going 10-for-13 for 22 points last night as the Cavs beat the Grizzlies, 111-89 and continue to steamroll the competition after LeBron James’ two-week in-season sabbatical (only the Warriors have a better record since the All-Star break). But another layer of intrigue has been added to growing questions about Love’s relationship with James.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports there’s a “rift” between the two that could lead to Love leaving this summer if/when he opts out of the final year of his deal. Here are the sexier parts of Isola’s report:
Love is viewed by some as an aloof player who alienated teammates in Minnesota and is now doing the same in Cleveland.
[…]
But 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.
Between those disclosures, Isola provided further evidence of the fissure in their relationship, which we’ve covered throughout the year:
The tweet James sent that he admitted was directed at Love for Kevin’s comments earlier this season about fitting in, before backtracking and saying it was about the public at large.
Love’s conspicuous absence in an Instagram pic by LeBron with the caption, “Clique Up.”
Love publicly backed Russell Westbrook for MVP this season, and while LeBron said “no one should fault” Love for his opinion, Isola makes it seem like Love was taking a passive-aggressive swipe at James.
This came on the heels of Love saying he’s “not best friend’s” with LeBron.
Add it all up, and Isola’s wondering if maybe Love comes to the Knicks in free agency this summer to team up with Carmelo Anthony for a forward combo that would leave few shots for anyone else — triple-post actions, or not.
All this despite the fact Love said, in the very same interview with Dan Patrick where he endorses Westbrook for MVP, he’s coming back to the Cavaliers whether they win a title or not. Yes, he’ll opt out of the final year of his deal because then he can re-sign for more, but he hasn’t said anything publicly about signing anywhere but Cleveland.
Maybe Love’s toeing the company line until he actually opts out in June, allowing other teams — like the Knicks and Lakers — to pitch him on their services. Maybe this is all a bunch of bullsh*t to get people to click. Maybe we’re almost as tired of this carousel of contrived narratives as Love and James are.
Maybe, if we write about it enough we’ll actually swing the dynamics between Love and LeBron and successfully split them up. That’s what it seems like the basketball glitterati are hoping because then we all get to file a few stories on their supposed behind-the-scenes beef.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are the prohibitive favorites in the East, winners of their last four and eight of their last 10. Despite Atlanta likely securing the top seed in the East, the Love/Irving/LeBron threesome is doing a pretty good job together.
Love’s playoff performance will stimulate more of these stories, and we’ll regurgitate them as best we can while silently screaming for the nonsense to end.
We’ll only learn the truth in July, but until then, no unsubstantiated innuendo or unsourced rumor will go ignored.*
*OK, we’ll try to sift through the scraps as best we can before relaying them to you.
(NYDN)
