Kevin Love had an outstanding game yesterday. It was by far his most productive in recent memory, and the Cavaliers needed every single one of his 30 points on 15 shots (along with nine rebounds and four assists) to keep pace with the undermanned Pistons, who nonetheless managed to snatch victory from apparent defeat with resilient play. Needless to say, his elevated numbers vis-a-vis his season averages stemmed from an avowed desire to let his playing do the talking following a spate of events in which he displayed unprofessional behavior. “I wasn’t acting like a 31-year-old. I was acting like a 13-year-old,” he admitted. “That was not me.”
To those from the outside looking in, it was most certainly Love who showed ridiculously bad body language in the midst of four straight setbacks prior to yesterday’s homestand. Frustration over all the losing — and his seemingly diminished role in the offense — had set in, and he saw fit to direct his ire at coaches and teammates, and even general manager Koby Altman. For all his reasons, there was no defending his tantrums — and especially since he’s just in the first year of a contract extension set to pay him a whopping $120 million through 2023.
The Cavaliers had hoped to make Love their cornerstone in the aftermath of LeBron James’ departure in 2018, but their aim to accelerate a rebuild now puts him on the trading block. His salary and the length of time he’s tied up limit their options considerably, thus making him a de facto mentor to the younger set on the roster. And, taken in this context, his recalcitrance sent all the wrong signals to current and prospective parties. Whether or not he stays, he has rightly come to the conclusion that he needs to show up for work and be at his finest if he is to earn his keep.
Granted, National Basketball Association annals are replete with examples of stars who put themselves ahead of those around them. On the other hand, Love has been anything but egoistic; for all his gaudy stats, he has willingly made sacrifices for the collective whenever necessary. Which is why all and sundry are ready to move on. The wins will continue to be scarce, but the Cavaliers know the value he brings with his experience. They’re keen on tapping it for as long as he’ll be around, and, hopefully, he’s ready to share it as best he can.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
