LeBron is right: The Cavs need more from Kevin Love
LeBron James has officially called out Kevin Love
With tensions in Cleveland reaching a crescendo, the entire Cavaliers fanbase is looking for LeBron James to save the team’s season. The hometown legend is looking for some help. Specifically, he wants to see Kevin Love step up and make some shots.
The Cavs host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday for a game with massive stakes. Not only will it determine which team moves on to play Toronto in the next round, it also could go a long way toward determining whether or not James extends his stay with the Cavaliers. James has the ability to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.
Perhaps LeBron is feeling some of the city’s anxiety about his future. He told reporters that Love “has to step up” and knock shots down if the Cavaliers are going to advance. Love clearly hasn’t done that in the series so far. He’s only averaging a little over 11 points per game on 32.4 percent shooting from the field in the first six games. LeBron will need much more support to dispatch the Pacers in Game 7.
In fairness to Love, he’s clearly struggling to handle the basketball given the partially torn thumb ligament in his right hand. Theoretically that shouldn’t have a massive ability on the way he shoots the ball, but it’s clearly bothered Love. It’s very possible this series would be quite different for the Cavaliers if Love was at 100 percent.
If LeBron were really being candid, he’d probably throw barbs at Cleveland’s front office for failing to provide him enough support to be a legitimate title contender. The team made wholesale changes at the trade deadline in hopes of reviving the squad, but the gamble hasn’t paid off. LeBron remains the first, second and third option for the Cavaliers on most offensive possessions.
In a strange way, the lack of help for LeBron could force him into an epic performance on Sunday. James is going to be desperate to avoid bowing out in the first round for the first time in his career. If he wants to keep that streak alive, he may be required to put in a truly historic performance. That’s bad news for LeBron, but good news for neutral fans who really want to see his full talent on display.
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LeBron can talk all he wants about what he needs from Love on Sunday, but Game 7 is still all about him. The Cavaliers can’t win unless he pulls off a performance for the ages.