LeBron praises Love for an 'unbelievable series'
The state of LeBron James and Kevin Love's relationship has been headline fodder all season, with cryptic tweets, incomplete team photos and curious MVP picks adding fuel to the fire.
All of that seemed like ancient history - at least for one night - after Cleveland's Game 3 victory in Boston, which put the Cavaliers on the brink of a four-game sweep of the Celtics.
"He's played an unbelievable series," James said of Love, who poured in 23 points and nine rebounds in Thursday's 103-95 win.
"He's been highly criticized this year, and I don't know why," James added, before admitting that he's aware of the root of the criticism. "For a team that finally gets together, when you have a Big Three, they got to find something.
"When I was in Miami, Chris Bosh was that guy at one point. So, I know why. I've seen it before ... They got to find somebody. And Kevin was the guy that they tried to find and tried to tear him down."
James also praised Love for staying positive in the face of yearlong criticism.
"I think he's a big-time player. He's a very cerebral basketball player, and in order for us to be the team that we want to be long term, Kevin is going to be Kevin. Which he was tonight," James said.
Love has had to adapt to his role as the third option behind James and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, transitioning from a more ball-dominant big man in Minnesota to a relegated spot-up shooter at times in Cleveland.
Still, the 26-year-old, who was acquired in a trade that sent No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins to the Timberwolves, averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds on a True Shooting Percentage of 56.2 in his first season with the Cavs.
"People have focused my whole career on what I couldn't do rather than what I could do," Love said Thursday night. "I know that my teammates and the coaching staff has my back and the organization has my back. And I'm sending love right back to them.
"Tonight was one of those times where my number was called to step up and to hit a big shot."