Another year, another internal drama involving the Cleveland Cavaliers has become public. And once again it appears that Kevin Love is the target of the issues.
Seemingly since his arrival to Cleveland, Kevin Love has been the target of one issue or another. He had some injury problems, he was the target of a trade discussion and his ‘fit’ with the team was brought up on more than one occasion. The latest Cavs issues are reportedly centered around Kevin Love and his decision to leave a game with an illness.
Following comes from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Cleveland Cavaliers held a fiery team meeting in the practice facility locker room prior to Monday’s practice, during which several players challenged the legitimacy of Kevin Love’s illness that led him to leave Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma City early and miss Sunday’s practice, league sources told ESPN.
Several players were pushing for the Cavaliers’ management and coaching staff to hold Love accountable for leaving the arena before the end of Saturday’s game, and then missing Sunday’s practice, league sources told ESPN.
The meeting was loud and intense, only calming down once Love spoke to those gathered in the room and explained himself, league sources said.
The meeting included Cavaliers coach Ty Lue and general manager Koby Altman, league sources said.
There was a sense that the team was largely accepting of Love’s explanation, and that the airing out of issues could have a positive impact on what has become an increasingly fractured locker room. Within factions of the locker room, there has been blame for the Cavaliers’ struggles directed at everyone from Love to Isaiah Thomas, to Lue and the front office, led by Altman, and owner Dan Gilbert, league sources said.
Love was asked about the meeting and he didn’t deny it was held but he did say he wasn’t the only one who was targeted. Cavaliers star LeBron James did not answer questions about the meeting when asked by the media three different time.
Following comes from Tom Withers of the Associated Press.
“We aired any grievances we had and we’re going to move forward,” said center Kevin Love, who regretted that the meeting was leaked publicly. “Hopefully we’ll be better for it, we have been in the past.”
“Did I feel like a target?” he said at Tuesday’s shootaround. “I think everybody, most people, were a target. We’re trying to figure this thing out. People hold themselves to a very high standard on this team and we’re a team that can compete at the highest level. So, for us, it’s not about me.
“I’m not going to make it about myself. I’m sure with other guys, it’s the same thing. The biggest thing is moving forward. For me, the thing I’ve always done is kept my mouth shut, I continue to work hard and try to do best for the Cavs. That’s all I can do tonight and moving forward these last 35, 40 games and overall just try to help this team.”
“I’m numb to it at this point,” he said. “We’ve been to three straight Finals. We’ve been able to thrive under a certain amount of chaos at some points. The good thing about us is we’ve got better throughout the course of seasons and we’ve peaked at the right time. We’re hoping that it’s not any different.”
