Credit: Getty Images
LeBron James Blasts Reporter Who Created False Kevin Love Trade Rumors
Over the past few weeks, LeBron James has not been the usual conservative, calm person he is when asked controversial questions in the media.
Charles Barkley threw shade at the three-time champion last week for his lack of leadership with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and James fired back with no hesitation calling Barkley a “hater” and questioning his credibility.
After Cleveland’s 140-135 overtime thriller over Washington on Monday night, James sounded off on recent trade rumors regarding star teammate Kevin Love and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. A report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News during the game claimed James was pushing for the Cavaliers to trade for Anthony.
LeBron James responds to the Kevin Love for Carmelo Anthony trade rumors
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) February 7, 2017
“Yeah I saw that and heard about it, it’s trash,” James told reporters. “And the guy who wrote it is trash, too, for writing that. Especially during a game like that. It’s always about outside noise, and that’s just outside noise for us.”
In the midst of the trade rumors, Kevin Love had the best game of the season, exploding for 39 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks on 11-of-17 shooting and 6-of-10 from long range. Love also showed off his Tom Brady-like accuracy/court vision by chucking a full-court, game-saving assist to LeBron James who nailed the overtime forcing three-pointer.
#LeBronJames & #KyrieIrving provided some CLUTCH shots down the stretch for the @cavs in the OT thriller vs Washington! 😬 pic.twitter.com/f7h1khaPnt
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 7, 2017
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue admitted the team has no intent on trading Love, and his 39-point, 12-rebound performance proved how valuable he truly is.
“Kevin should be happy that teams want him, but he’s not going anywhere,” said Lue.
Kevin Love was named an All-Star for the 2016-17 season and is considered a top power forward in the NBA. Swapping Carmelo Anthony—a great player in his own right— for Kevin Love would interrupt the chemistry Cleveland built over recent years and which ultimately led them to the 2017 NBA title.
The 35-15 Cleveland Cavaliers are still 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. After a stagnant January, Cleveland’s hard-fought victory over Washington got them back on track in the win column and may have been a turning point in their season.
