LeBron James has been adamant this season that not only does Kevin Love have an increased role in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offense, Love is the focal point of that offense.
"Kev knows how great he is and how good he is for our team," James said. "He’s going to get back to that All-Star level. We need to continue to ride his coattail."
It’s not hollow declarations from James.
Love is averaging 19.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and four assists, but it’s more than averages. Love has touched the basketball 194 times compared to 180 times for James, and Love’s usage rate — the percentage of offensive possessions a player uses — is 25.7 percent, up from 21.6 percent last season. In a game against the Miami Heat last week, Love had 24 points and 14 rebounds.
"From a comfort standpoint, I just feel a lot better," said Love, who was unsure of his role at times last season.
James is still getting shots (leads the team in attempts), he’s still scoring (leads the team at 22 points per game), and while his three-point shot is not going in, he’s shooting 63.6 percent on two-point attempts and 71.4 percent on shots from less than 10 feet.
But Love has been Cleveland’s best player in an offense that looks much improved from last season, with better ball movement, screens and off-ball action and more creativity. The Cavs have used Love in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and at the three-point line — all of which have allowed Love to shoot or create for others.
"I definitely feel better on all spots on the floor," Love said. "As far as the flow of the game and what we do in the halfcourt, you will see me touching the ball a lot and us two working together."
This development has been months in the making. When James and Love met in Los Angeles shortly after the NBA Finals and just before the start of free agency, James delivered an honest message, two people who were privy to the conversation told USA Today.
James in essence told Love that not only does he need him in Cleveland to help the Cavs win an NBA championship, he wants him on the roster. And not only does he want him on the roster, he wants Love to have a bigger role in the offense.
"We’ll use Kevin however he wants to be used," James said. "I told you Kevin is going to be our main focus. He’s going to have a hell of a season. ... I know I can go out and get mine when I need it. But I need Kev to be as aggressive as he was (against Memphis), and when he rebounds at the level he did (against Memphis), the shots will automatically fall for him."
For this partnership to work, it was necessary for Love to hear it from James and necessary for Love to make it clear that’s what he believed.
When James told Love how important he was going to be in USA Basketball’s pursuit of a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, Love said he thought James was blowing smoke. James meant it, and he meant what he told Love at a poolside cabana in June.
"Like a lot of guys on this team, when he speaks, we’re all hanging on his last word because he’s our leader," Love said. "You definitely want to live up to his expectations (and) exceed our own expectations."
Love left that meeting with the understanding that James believed he could be much more for the Cavs this season and he wanted that responsibility.
It took a commitment on Love’s side, too. It’s one thing to say he’s willing to sacrifice points and rebounds and even All-Star appearances for a championship. It’s another thing to be in the heart of it with reduced stats. Love started to get a better idea of his importance to Cleveland’s title chances during the first round of last season’s playoffs against the Boston Celtics. It was his first taste of the playoffs and the first time he realized how he can help a team win in the postseason.
But a dislocated left shoulder in Game 4 against Boston put an end to his season, and he watched on TV or from the bench as the Cavs reached the NBA Finals but lost. His presence would’ve made some difference.
By re-signing with Cleveland, he revealed 26 points and 14 rebounds every game was less meaningful than championships. His start to this season is a powerful statement.
"It’s going to take me several games in order to get where I really want to be," Love said. "But as far as pick my spots and being confident in what we’re trying to get done, it’s at a pretty high level now for the whole team."
James left that conversation in June with a concrete understanding of what Love would deliver.
"I knew he'd be sharp," James said, "when I had my conversation with him in Los Angeles in the offseason."
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