Media

Kevin Love acknowledges that he was big part in helping LeBron James win titles

Published by
Brad Sullivan

With LeBron James set to reach the NBA Finals with his third different team, his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kevin Love took time to remember how he, James and Kyrie Irving helped capture the franchise’s only NBA title.

James and the Los Angeles Lakers are headed to the finals after knocking off the Denver Nuggets in five games to capture the Western Conference championship. The 17-year veteran also took the Miami Heat to the finals in each of his four years from 2011 to 2014.

This most recent achievement comes four years after James, Love and Irving each provided major contributions during the Cavs’ history-making comeback in the 2016 finals. That title was during the second of four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals for the Cavaliers.

James and Love were part of all four trips to the finals, while Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017.

In the iconic Game 7 of the 2016 finals, James connected on a clutch 3-pointer and delivered a stunning block of Andre Iguodala’s shot.

Irving was then responsible for the most famous shot in Cavaliers history when he connected on a 3-pointer in the final minute to give the Cavs the lead for good.

Love then followed with some tenacious defense on Stephen Curry, with James capping the victory by splitting a pair of free throws to win the contest, 93-89.

That moment seems distant now, with Love the only remaining part of a rebuilding Cavaliers team that’s coming off consecutive 19-win campaigns.

Yet, while Love prepares to root for James and the Lakers in the upcoming finals, he has the comfort in knowing that he was a part of the greatest Cavaliers team in franchise history.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

2016 champ says Cavs ‘found something’ amid series comeback vs. Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers have successfully climbed out of an 0-2 hole against the Detroit Pistons…

5 days ago

Jeff Teague says Cavs failed to make deal that would’ve sent them to NBA Finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have a legitimate chance to make the 2026 NBA Finals, but…

5 days ago

Kendrick Perkins rips Evan Mobley for impact vs. Pistons: ‘You finish the game with one rebound?’

The Cleveland Cavaliers failed to steal a game from the Detroit Pistons on the road…

1 week ago

Former Cavs player says James Harden needs to come off the bench in limited minutes

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in an 0-2 hole in their second-round series against the Detroit…

1 week ago

Donovan Mitchell suggests that he needs to flop to get calls after free-throw disparity in Game 1

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell wasn’t happy with the lack of foul calls that he…

2 weeks ago

Skip Bayless implies James Harden was carried in Game 7 vs. Raptors

The Cleveland Cavaliers got the job done in Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors on…

2 weeks ago