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LeBron James: I have three very good friends in the NBA

By Josh Criswell

Jan 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Kevin Love (0) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Kevin Love (0) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The friendships between LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavalier teammates has been a hot topic in the national media all season, especially regarding Kevin Love.

Despite being maligned throughout his career for being too friendly with his competition, LeBron James made a bold statement that will surprise many of these critics, as well as those questioning his friendships with his Cleveland Cavalier teammates.

"“People get so infatuated with the best of friends, things of that nature,” James said via Cleveland.com. “First of all, I’ve got three very good friends in this league, and that’s Carmelo (Anthony), and that’s C.P. (Chris Paul), and that’s D-Wade. And after that I have a bunch of teammates. I have guys I ride for every day.”"

James went on to emphasize fellow superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love’s importance to the Cavs.

"“Kyrie is a guy I understand how important he is to this team, how important he is, And the same with Kev as well.”"

LeBron’s compliment to Love at the end drives home the point that the media circus surrounding the pair’s relationship is no issue to this team. This should help quell some of the craze after Love unintentionally generated controversy last week with comments he made regarding the relationship on ESPN’s Mike & Mike.

"“You know, we’re not best friends,” Love said. “We’re not hanging out every day, but we see each other every day, whether we’re at the practice facility, whether we’re on the road or going to a game. I think our relationship is also evolving.”"

Of course the first quote is what grabbed headlines and sent fans and the media into a slight frenzy. What he said next, however, is much more meaningful and provides a glimpse into a process that is an ongoing work in progress.

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Evolving is the key word in that sequence. Did anybody honestly expect three elite All-Stars in James, Irving and Love to gel immediately? What matters most is that their chemistry is growing with each minute spent on the court together.

Who said teammates have to be the best of friends to be successful anyway?

Dennis Rodman was an enigma anywhere he went. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan did share Sunday dinner together. Hell, Jordan’s intense, win-at-all-cost personality made some teammates hate him.

Did that stop the Chicago Bulls of the 90’s from going down as the greatest team of their generation?

Six NBA Championships in eight years makes me think otherwise.

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