LeBron James: Kevin Love will get the ball in the post if he demands it
Cavaliers forward LeBron James said on Friday that Kevin Love will receive the ball in the post if he demands it, according to a report from ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin.
Love said earlier this week that he is "just trying to find [himself]" in Cleveland's offense, which ranks fifth in the league in points scored per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com.
James described the "feel-out" process he, Love and the rest of the Cavaliers are going through.
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From the report:
"I think it's a feel-out process for all of us," James said. "And it's a little more challenging for him than it is for me and Kyrie [Irving] because we get to handle the ball a bit more. Him being a big guy, we have to give him the ball. When he has his opportunities, he has to make the most out of them."
He said that as long as Love is assertive, his teammates will acquiesce.
"Kev is a guy, if he wants the ball in the post, he gets the ball in the post," James said. "He'll demand it, and we'll give it to him. For me, I definitely don't have a problem with it. It's a great equalizer to try to slow the game down and have a guy that can create opportunities in the post."
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The Cavaliers acquired Love from the Timberwolves this summer in a three-team trade. The three-time All-Star spent the first six seasons of his career in Minnesota.
Over 10 games this season, Love has averaged 16.7 points and 13.1 field goal attempts per game -- significant decreases from the numbers he posted in those categories (26.1 ppg, 18.5 fga) over 77 games last season.
Love has also scored 13 points or fewer in three of his last four games, including 10 on 4-of-12 shooting in Wednesday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Cavaliers play at Washington (7-3) on Friday.
- Chris Johnson
