Kevin Love was fantastic in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as the Cleveland Cavaliers advanced past the Boston Celtics. However, Love was not exactly the lead story in the aftermath of his team’s Game 5 victory, as the evening doubled as the point in which LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.
Armed with that knowledge, Love initially turned down the opportunity to take the podium alongside James after the win, indicating the following to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“I just told (communications director) Tad (Carper) I wouldn’t share a podium with him because tonight is a night where he deserves to be on his own.”
For reference, Love has been a frequent podium inclusion during the playoffs, and his 15-point, 11-rebound performance certainly would have been worthy of a visit. Still, the veteran big man chose to defer to James, and it was clear that Love understood what the moment meant.
“I mentioned not taking things for granted. One of those nights. It was truly special to be a part of, and we knew it too. When we drew up the play in the timeout in the third quarter and he came out and he was shooting the ball so well, went in, and we’re celebrating it for him. It was big. Special.”
Love led the charge in understanding just how transcendent LeBron James can be, in a way that only a teammate can see.
“He’s been so special for us. We know what he brings to this game as a whole, brings to this league, our organization. Every night he brings it for us, sets the tone, and it’s no different. There are so many different milestones and accolades that have come his way, and me being here for — this is my third year now — having seen him accomplish so much is truly special.”
Amusingly, Love ended up joining James on the podium, and he was flanked by Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith. That quartet, led by Thompson, helped to produce some memorable moments, and they existed even as James was looking inward to reflect poignantly on what it meant to zoom beyond Jordan in this way.
Kevin Love will always be the “third guy” in Cleveland, despite the fact that he is overqualified for the role. On Thursday night, though, he was in the right mindset, and that is a testament to his character in the moment.
