CLEVELAND (AP) — As the Cavaliers' slow, stuttering rebuild
continues around a “core four” of young players, the team still
views Kevin Love as an important piece.
One worth keeping around. At least, for now.
On Friday, general manager Koby Altman spoke to the media for
the first time since the Cavs completed a injury-marred season by
going 22-50 and failing to compete for a playoff spot during a year
in which Love went from being a major contributor to a
distraction.
The five-time All-Star played in just 25 games because of a
severe calf injury. All that will be remembered from his
forgettable season is an on-court lapse against Toronto when he
lost his composure and smacked the ball away in frustration only to
have the Raptors grab it and score.
It's a regrettable moment that has stained an otherwise clean
resume.
Love's mini-tantrum was also a microcosm of a frustrating season
for the Cavs, who used 30 different starting lineups and lost 300
total games to injuries. There was also plenty of self-inflicted
drama, which included Love's meltdown in Florida, Kevin Porter
Jr.'s surprising trade to Houston and the team buying out All-Star
center Andre Drummond's contract.
Altman said Love was “internally reprimanded” for his on-court
behavior in April. But his actions caused serious damage to Love's
reputation with fans and possibly affected relationships with
teammates and coaches.
Love publicly apologized for his outburst, saying it was out of
character. And while fans may have had a harder time accepting
Love's remorse — and stomaching his $30 million per season contract
— Altman insists it hasn't caused a rift inside the Cavaliers.
“What people don’t see is his vulnerability with the players and
his teammates. I don’t think people see his generosity,” said
Altman, who last spoke to reporters in January. “If he was an
all-out bad guy and those plays that you talk about represented
him, his teammates wouldn’t love him, his teammates wouldn’t want
to be around him.”
Altman said Love gives the Cavs, who at one point were starting
four players under 22, a needed mentor for younger players. He may
have some quirks, but Love's value stretches far beyond his ability
to shoot and rebound.
“Jarrett Allen loves Kevin and I asked him why and he said, ‘Off
the court he provides leadership. He provides a sense of humility.
He’s funny,'” Altman said. “And he’s been here a long time; he’s
won a championship with us, so he has a lot of equity here. I love
talking to him, I love being around him. He has his moments, but
he’s ours and he’s uniquely Kevin Love.”
Altman said Love is headed into a “significant” summer. He needs
to get physically healthier and mentally tougher to handle what's
ahead.
Although the Cavs played few meaningful games this season,
Altman believes the team is close to a breakthrough behind guards
Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, forward Isaac Okoro and Allen,
whose arrival necessitated the team to move on from Drummond.
The Cavs will add another talented player high in the draft, and
there are plans to sign veteran free agents this summer.
But the young guys need someone to show them the way, and Altman
feels that's a perfect role for Love.
“We want him to be here,” Atlman said. "We signed him to an
extension (four years, $120 million in 2019) for that reason, to be
here when we want to make that next step. And so we’re going to
hopefully rely on him heavily next year after a significant
summer.”
Altman touched on several other items during his Zoom
conference:
— The GM said he's had candid conversations with owner Dan
Gilbert, who feels good about the team's positioning. Altman said
he's never had any direct talks with Gilbert about his own
situation but feels comfortable that he's done a good job.
Altman said Gilbert, who has had health issues following stroke,
remains “very engaged” with the team.
— Altman said the Porter trade came after the Cavs exhausted
themselves in trying to work with the talented and troubled former
first-round pick. Porter had some legal issues while in Cleveland
his stay ended shortly after he became enraged when the team moved
his locker and confronted Altman.
“It’s impossible to bat a thousand percent when you’re doing it
this way,” Altman said. “The hard part is this thing’s fragile,
it’s a fragile thing and the culture that we’re trying to create we
have to have a level of integrity that we’re trying to live by and
grow that young talent to hopefully win. That’s for everybody. I
think the change of scenery was needed from both parties.”
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