LeBron wary of Cavs' inexperience, says Love must play at high level
Experience is one of those playoff intangibles that some overrate, while others underrate.
Ask the Toronto Raptors and Paul Pierce about that one - and consider LeBron James somebody who also thinks experience counts for something. Specifically, he's keenly aware that some key Cleveland Cavaliers teammates don't have postseason experience at all.
"We have guys that have played experienced basketball, but then we have guys that we have to rely on a lot that haven't played experienced basketball," James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "That's Kevin Love, that's Kyrie Irving, Matthew Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson that have never played a postseason game.
"So, that kind of scares me a little bit."
James clarified that he doesn't fear failure from the Cavs in the playoffs, but knows the experience factor can't be faked.
"I fear just them never been a part of it. You can talk about the postseason. You can watch games of the postseason. You can clip it. You can watch film. But until you actually get out there, that's the only way you can really understand what it's about."
The Cavs open the playoffs against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. James's last postseason game as a Cavalier also came against Boston - a loss in Game 6 of the East semifinals on May 13, 2010. It was also the franchise's last playoff game.
James knows that success for Cleveland this spring will require Love - whose relationship with James has been highly scrutinized this year - to raise his game.
"It's my utmost responsibility," James said of helping the power forward. "I think Kevin has not had the season that he's accustomed to having the past few years, but in order for us to win, Kevin Love has to play at a high level, and it's my job to help him get to that point as well."
The Cavs obtained Love in exchange for No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins after James returned to Cleveland in order to give James another All-Star-caliber sidekick. LeBron told McMenamin it is now time to build that legacy.
"My responsibility to get the best out of (Love) is ultimately going to define who he is."