Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James and Kevin Love, most valuable duo

This year, LeBron James and Kevin Love have been the best duo in the NBA. Here’s why they outshine three other elite combos.

It’s impossible to overstate the value of LeBron James and Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Obviously James is the centerpiece, the team’s heart, head, spinal chord, pinky toe, everything.

But Love has returned to the All-Star level of his Minnesota Timberwolves days. His .215 win shares per 48 minutes are the third highest in his career, trailing his 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. Both years he made the All-NBA Second Team.

But here is the most reflective stat: Either James or Love has led the Cavs in points, rebounds AND assists in all but two games this year. On October 21, Dwyane Wade paced Cleveland with four assists against Orlando on Oct. 21, and his team-leading 11 rebounds came in a Nov. 5 loss against Atlanta

So in 29 of 31 Cavs games, LeBron or Love has led the way in points, rebounds and assists. On a team decimated by injuries, both are being asked to shoulder a load heavier than expected.

But how does the play of James and Love match up against other dynamic duos from this season? There’s no award for “most valuable duo” (maybe it could be a “Startie”), but James and Love would certainly be in the running if there were.

Here is a look at their competition for that designation and why they top it.