LeBron James pushed for the Cavaliers to trade for Kevin Love last summer.
Then, once they did, LeBron treated Love strangely.
What went wrong beyond some vague idea of Love not putting winning first?
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal:In truth, James was frustrated in part because Love showed up out of shape. He didn’t work out much at all the summer he was traded here and he wasn’t the player James was expecting. His legs bothered him all season. His back was hurting. All of the parts were connected and none of them were firing properly.
James loves talent and he loves playing with elite talent. Love’s physical condition prevented him from being the player James thought he was getting. As a result, James gravitated toward Kyrie Irving and Love never fit well into this system.
LeBron and Love seemed to get on track late last season. Love even told Lloyd he planned to re-sign with Cleveland even before his famous poolside chat with LeBron.
At that meeting, Love reportedly told LeBron he wanted a bigger role in the offense. LeBron has responded by calling Love the Cavaliers’ offensive focal point.
Everything is good between LeBron and Love now – right?