For the second time this decade, the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans have had to come to terms with losing LeBron James. But this time around, it was a lot easier to stomach, given that LeBron had delivered on his promise and brought the city of Cleveland its first championship in more than 50 years. Bitter resentment has given way to solemn gratitude.
It also helped soften the blow that he chose a more elegant farewell than in 2010, when fans felt humiliated by the public spectacle of The Decision. The organization itself is also in a bit more stable condition today. After his first departure, the team plunged head-first into lottery limbo, and though it netted them some high draft picks, they were left flailing away until his return in 2014.
Today, the Cavs head into the future with a haul of assets from their midseason acquisition from the Lakers in February, not to mention a bona fide superstar in Kevin Love, who opted to sign a long-term extension with the team this summer when he could’ve easily sought out a better situation. Yet, before agreeing to sign his $120 million contract extension this summer, Love wanted to hear from Cavs brass that they weren’t going into full rebuild mode.
Via Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports:
“I love it here,” Love said. “I wish I could pick my house up and move it everywhere I go in the summer. I love where I live. I’m comfortable here.”
But Love wanted some assurances. Losing a player of James’ caliber can be catastrophic. The Cavs should know. That’s what happened when James left town the first time in 2010. Love wanted to know if Altman intended to take that route.
“Anytime you lose the best player in the world, you take a step back,” Love said. “I didn’t want to be a part of something where we were tanking or we were going to be in the lottery every year.”
As it turned out, they were both on the same page. In fact, this is the outcome the Cavs wanted all along. They reportedly turned down inquiries for Love all season long with the intention of re-signing him his summer.
Despite Tristan Thompon’s lofty proclamations, Cleveland is no longer favored to win the East. Far from it. But Love and the Cavs are approaching this season with the mindset of building around him as their centerpiece and finding out just what they have with their current collection of talent.
Love will be the focal point of a team for the first time since his Minnesota heyday, and though he likely won’t be the offensive force he once was, he’s still one of the league’s best power forwards. Just how far he can take the Cavs this season and beyond remains to be seen.
(Via Yahoo Sports)
