Yes, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love did endorse Russell Westbrook for MVP over his own teammate, LeBron James. Who cares?
OK, basketball world, you now had one more thing to talk about for a few days.
As much as the NBA world is focused on the brilliant athletes playing on court, it is trounced by the off-court and offseason madness this league experiences.
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I’m not sure why he does it, but Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love keeps feeding the beast.
This past Monday, on the Dan Patrick Show, Love had this to say when asked who should win the MVP this season, via Cleveland.com:
"They’re both having an MVP-type season, but I’m going to go with Russell Westbrook because he’s, every single night you’re looking at his stat sheet, they’re fighting for a playoff spot, with Serge Ibaka going down now, Kevin Durant potentially being out the rest of the year and him still going out there and fighting for his team, and winning, and fighting for that seventh or eighth spot in the playoffs. I think Russ is arguably having the better season."
I simply cannot believe this is actually a story.
James responded with this, via ESPN:
“I don’t really think too much of it, really,” James said after Cleveland Cavaliers practice on Tuesday. “I don’t really get involved in that. I think the voters are going to decide who is the MVP. I think what Russ has been doing, his numbers have been pretty crazy keeping those guys afloat in the West in his play. Steph Curry can make a case, for sure, what he’s been doing — James Harden and myself, as well. So, Kevin has his own opinion of who he believes is the MVP. No one should fault him for that.”
Again, this is completely ridiculous and a frankly a non-story. The only real story here is the fact that LeBron had to respond to the media frenzy that was created because of Love’s comments.
Listen, we all know Love is not a great fit in Cleveland.
He’s currently averaging 16.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. In theory he does fit the Chris Bosh-type role that James enjoyed with the Big Three in Miami. As a stretch-4 he can space the offense the way James likes.
However, it’s already become pretty obvious that Love is not happy playing the third star and wants to play a more prominent role on an NBA squad. It was evident even before these comments.
The rumors, the comments, and everything else we’ve heard about Love’s possible future this past year is evidence enough in this NBA world. When there is smoke in this game, there is fire.
Regardless of what he’s said about saying “no” to the possibility of signing with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, nothing can be taken seriously.
He has the opportunity to opt out after the year and most likely will. Most of the time athletes will opt out. It presents greater opportunity.
Why would any of us be surprised about these comments?
Despite the Cavs rolling in the second half of the season and most likely coasting to the Central Division crown, Love has not fit in. It still doesn’t stop James from dominating on a nightly basis and making everyone around him better.
Love’s comments will not change this team in anyway.
The only thing it does is further the feeling we already knew, which is Kevin Love is not a fit in Cleveland.
If he was a fit, he’d never say such a thing as backing your teammate is always the right move — even if he played with Russell Westbrook at UCLA.
Next: Better Acquisition For Cavs: J.R. Smith Or Iman Shumpert
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