Kevin Love put together his most meaningful game as a member of the Cavaliers on Thursday, and the leader of the team took notice.
"I think he's a big-time player," LeBron James said after Love scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Cavs' 103-95 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
The Cavs now lead the series, 3-0, with Game 4 slated for Sunday afternoon in Boston. And Love is a major reason why the Cavs are on the verge of a first-round sweep -- with his late 3-pointer from the baseline deflating the Celtics in an otherwise close game.
No less than James, who scored 31 himself, made the pass to Love for the clutch basket. And no less than James came out in support of the Cavs' starting power forward.
This is interesting simply because Love has undergone more scrutiny (and criticism) than perhaps any player in the NBA this season. The stories and social-media posts have been endless.
LeBron doesn't like Love, they imply. Love has been a disappointment, they insist.
But after Game 3, James said to forget all that noise. And not just because of Love's performance in Game 3.
"He's played an unbelievable series," James said. "Even though he got in early foul trouble in the second game, and he missed a few shots in Game 1, he stuck with it. His impact on the floor, his ability to make shots, his ability to rebound. He gives us 23, nine and three (Thursday) and hits six threes."
Then LeBron touched on the hot topic that has buzzed around the Cavs all season.
"He's been highly criticized this year; I don't know why," James said, before quickly figuring it out. "I know why. I know why. I know. For a team that finally gets together, when you have a 'Big Three,' they've got to find someone."
James experienced something similar with a star power forward while James was a member of the Miami Heat. That was Chris Bosh -- and like Love did in Cleveland, Bosh teamed with James in Miami after being The Man on another team.
For Bosh, the prior team was Toronto. For Love, it was Minnesota.
"When I was in Miami, Chris Bosh was that guy at one point," James said. "I've seen it before. When you've been in position where you've had your own team and now you come and join forces, at one point in Miami we were 9-8. They started pointing fingers at anybody. They've got to find somebody."
With the Cavs, that guy has always been Love. But despite all the talk, Love managed to average 16.4 and 9.7 rebounds on a team that also features top-level scorers such as James and Kyrie Irving.
Love is also averaging 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in the first postseason of his career.
"Kevin was the guy they tried to find and try to tear him down," James said. "The one thing about him, he's always stayed positive. I've always believed in him. I don't really get too involved in what everybody says. I know what type of player he is, what type of competitor he is, and I know he relishes the opportunity to be a part of this franchise and be a part of the postseason.
Meanwhile, Love admittedly has found some of the rumors and outside blame a little unsettling at times, but said it's never caused him to veer from trying to do his job.
"In games like (Thursday) and different games throughout the season, I was able to step up and make some big plays when I was out there," he said. "I just want to do what's right and what's best for this team and help us win. I think that's held true throughout the entire season and now into the postseason."
And if you ask James, that's really all the Cavs are seeking from Love. If it continues to happen, the Cavs should continue their winning ways.
