LeBron James and Kevin Love were supposed to be meeting with the media after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win over the Boston Celtics. However, that meeting was postponed to the next day because the two players were reportedly still grieving over the loss of Kyrie Irving.
During the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers were seen as underdogs. Despite the fact that they were sporting a healthy Kyrie Irving, and the fact that LeBron James and Kevin Love were all healthy during the playoffs, it was the Golden State Warriors who were able to beat them. But what is really interesting about the championship loss is that the Cavs players and the Warriors players were seen as friends and teammates, but they were not after the game.
LeBron James and Kevin Love have been very vocal about their dissatisfaction with Kyrie Irving since he left Cleveland last year, and on Saturday night they decided to share this with the world. James’ comments were particularly disgusting, as he and Love were recalling the time they won the NBA Finals in 2016, and called Irving a “cancer” and a “punk” for leaving the Cavaliers. James later claimed he was being “tongue tied.”. Read more about kyrie irving rings and let us know what you think.
It’s been a little over five years since the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA title. But, before anybody plays Barbra Streisand’s classic “The Way We Were” for a tear-jerking effect, the 2016 Cavs still have some raw emotions. Kevin Love is a well-known actor who has is a well-known actor who has is a well-known actor who has and LeBron James left a high-profile former teammate out of a recent commemoration, which may or may not have been on purpose.
That Cleveland squad, particularly the 2016 version, has a unique history. In that year’s NBA Finals, the Cavaliers became the first team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win the title. And they did it against the 73–9 Golden State Warriors, who have the greatest regular-season record in NBA history. However, the breakup of the Cavs’ Big Three of Love, James, and Kyrie Irving has left some lingering resentment.
Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving haven’t always agreed.
Kevin Love joined the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big Three in 2014, joining LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They got to three consecutive NBA Finals and won the 2016 championship in their three seasons together. James and Love led the Cavaliers back to the Finals in 2018 after Irving pushed his way out of The Land with a 2017 trade request.
The 2018 NBA Finals were the last episode of The Cavaliers and the Warriors in the Finals Yet Again, one of television’s longest-running programs. It broadcast on ABC/ESPN for four years.
While Love and Irving’s relationship has never been overtly antagonistic, the last of Cleveland’s Big Three has not been hesitant about criticizing Irving.
Love chastised Irving in December after his former teammate made a speech against the media. Irving refused to speak to the press and referred to them as “pawns” in his press release. According to ESPN, this did not sit well with Love.
“I believe that referring to someone as a pawn is a clear indication of disrespect.”
Kevin Love
Love also mentioned his love for Irving in the same remark, but a recent social media post caught many people’s attention.
Love and LeBron James seem to have forgotten about someone.
Kevin Love mentioned many of his former Cavaliers colleagues in a recent post. While he didn’t identify everyone he’s played with for Cleveland, one player’s absence stood out.
LeBron James, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson were all mentioned by Love. They were all members of the 2016 championship squad. However, Irving was not mentioned.
James retweeted a phrase from the British crime show Peaky Blinders as a response. Irving was noticeable by his absence from the discussion since James didn’t identify anybody in his tweet.
One of the trio’s former teammates has spoken about the rivalry between Irving and James when they were in Cleveland. According to the New York Post, Kendrick Perkins, who played one season with the Cavs, claimed Irving was envious of James.
There were also positive moments, as Irving acknowledged James as an inspiration for his Finals-clinching shot in 2016. In December 2020, James revealed that remarks Irving made regarding the pair’s time in Cleveland on Kevin Durant’s podcast upset him. So there’s a lot of stuff to lug along.
Kevin Love and LeBron James haven’t always been a natural match.
On September 26, 2016, Kevin Love (0), LeBron James (23) and Kyrie Irving (2) attended a media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. There have been indications of discord since the star-studded group split in 2017. | Jason Miller/Getty Images
Kevin Love was The Man for the Minnesota Timberwolves for many years prior to the blockbuster deal that moved him to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was the third choice after the deal, after LeBron James and Irving.
During an appearance on J.J. Redick’s The Old Man and the Three podcast in August 2020, Love stated that he had to completely alter his style to play with the other two stars.
“Going from a guy who shot nearly 20 shots per game to being essentially relegated as a 3-point shooter was a heck of an adjustment process for me.”
Kevin Love
Love took exception to a tweet James sent during their first season together.
“I believe it was very passive-aggressive and stupid on one end. At the same time, I felt like I had to establish my footing and blend in. However, it was not a simple procedure for me.”
Kevin Love
Love gave up fame to be a member of a winning team, and he wanted his efforts to be acknowledged.
Not every championship squad is a close-knit group. On the court, the 1970s New York Knicks were known for being a selfless team, but off it, they were believed to go in separate ways.
Perhaps LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving will be able to mend fences in the future. Otherwise, those five- or ten-year reunions in Cleveland might get uncomfortable.
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