Kevin Love and LeBron James haven’t played together in years, but that old Cleveland Cavaliers connection still shows up. They were only teammates for four years, and yet, every time they’re seen at an event together, you can tell there’s real friendship there. So when they popped up recently in California with some big names, fans took notice.
Why Are LeBron James and Kevin Love Still So Tight Off the Court?
One of Love’s most recent Instagram photos had him in great company on Sunday. In the snapshot, Love is joined by his wife Kate Bock, LeBron James, Rich Paul, Draymond Green, and Adele. The crew was photographed out in Ojai, California. Love simply captioned it, “Family Gatherings,” along with an infinity emoji. That shot says a lot.
Even if the exact location isn’t prominent, what does stand out is the lasting bond between Love and James. Having Rich Paul there, too, shows how close he is with James, which is pretty rare. Most agents have business relationships, but it’s not often you see this type of friendship.
Love and James helped bring the Cavaliers their first championship and took the franchise to four straight NBA Finals. That run hasn’t been matched since both players left the team, though Cleveland hasn’t dropped that far behind recently. Not only on-court chemistry, James, in the past, has shown support to Love in matters off the court as well. On one such significant occasion, James stood by his friend in his mental health advocacy.
In 2018, Love took a remarkable step to openly write about his struggles with anxiety and depression in an article in The Players’ Tribune. In a recent conversation with Hoda Kotb, Love revealed how James supported and showed love to him for coming up clean in such a sensitive matter.
“I think he kind of realized that something was really going on, and he was going to support his brother, who he won with and had been in the trenches with, and that’s what not only a teammate does, but a true lifelong friend and a brother,” said Love. James has even shown support on social media.
In October 2018, Love announced his donation to UCLA on World Mental Health Day. James was quick to praise him.
“Kevin Love was one of my favorite guys, one of my brothers. When he acknowledged that (he has suffered panic attacks), I just told him how strong he was – not only for himself, but for other people that are going through the same issues. Not only just athletes, but a lot of kids that look up to him and maybe going through it don’t know how to express things, so I think it’s a pretty cool thing,” James had said.
Could Love Team Up with James for a Lakers Run?
Some people are wondering about a possible reunion in Los Angeles. Love was traded to the Utah Jazz this offseason, and it’s clear his time there won’t last. Utah doesn’t have a role for Love, and he’s trying to stick in the NBA as his career winds down.
Just days back, NBA Insider Brett Siegel claimed Love is interested in joining a team in Los Angeles. The Lakers and Clippers look to have roster flexibility to add veterans. “Word around the league surrounding Love is that he wants to end up in Los Angeles,” Siegel stated.
Since Love grew up in California, the Lakers look like a natural landing spot. James loves teaming up with familiar faces, and Love has seen it before. In Cleveland, James brought in former Miami Heat teammates like Mike Miller, Chris Andersen, and James Jones for playoff pushes. That’s just how James operates.
If the Lakers’ frontcourt needs help, it makes sense for James to want Love back on his side. Their history and James’s habit of bringing old teammates together fit perfectly with what the Lakers could use right now.