CLEVELAND — Kevin Love spoke from his coronary heart. Over 13 minutes, he apologized, lectured, and requested for forgiveness and understanding.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ahead regrets his match of frustration however stated it should not outline him.
“That wasn’t me,” Love stated. “I apologize for that second. It was an unpleasant one. It was one which was not ill-intentioned.”
The five-time All-Star apologized Wednesday for his on-court tantrum two days in the past in a sport in opposition to the Toronto Raptors, saying that his conduct was out of line and out of character however that it had nothing to do with any frustration towards his teammates or coaches.
Love didn’t take any questions from reporters after talking passionately in regards to the incident, utilizing the Zoom name as what he referred to as a “remedy session” to precise his emotions about coping with an harm this season, his management function in Cleveland and his psychological well being.
“My intent wasn’t to disrespect the sport,” Love stated. “My intent wasn’t even for the rattling ball to go inbounds. It was a second that I bought caught up in.”
Late within the third quarter in opposition to Toronto, a annoyed Love, who was upset with the officers over some non-calls, angrily tapped the ball again into play on an inbounds cross. The free ball was grabbed by the Raptors, who made a Three-pointer and went on to win 112-96.
Video of the tantrum went viral on social media, and Love was blistered by followers and media for conduct referred to as “infantile” and “unacceptable.”
Love took exception to a few of the criticism, saying he felt elements of his conduct have been “a bit blown out of proportion.”
“I simply hope that you simply decide my character, decide me as a person,” stated Love, who helped the Cavaliers win an NBA title in 2016 and signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension two years later. “I imply, the basketball stuff, you possibly can crush me, you possibly can kill me by any means. I am going to take that on the chin all day.
“I do not care. I really like this sport. I am going to all the time love this sport. I hope I can play as a few years as I presumably can.”
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff referred to as Love’s actions a “lapse in judgment.”
Earlier than Wednesday’s sport in opposition to Orlando, Bickerstaff stated he had spoken to Love, who’s in his seventh season with Cleveland.
“He owned as much as it. He held himself accountable,” Bickerstaff stated. “It is what I anticipated from Kevin. I had an extended dialog with Kevin this morning, and Kevin had an extended dialog along with his teammates this morning.”
Love acquired a blended response from followers in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when he was launched earlier than dealing with the Magic. He missed all seven pictures — together with six Three-pointers — within the first half and was referred to as for a technical foul late within the second quarter. He completed with six factors on 2-of-11 capturing from the sector in Cleveland’s 109-104 loss. He added 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 35 minutes.
Love stated he did not understand how dangerous the incident seemed till after the sport, including that he felt embarrassed and ashamed.
The Cavaliers have been lacking seven gamers with accidents for the sport, and Love’s outburst solely compounded issues for a younger group stumbling to the season’s finish. Cleveland is 21-40.
Love stated he has solely respect for Bickerstaff and for his teammates. He believes they’ve accepted his apology, realizing how exhausting he has labored this season to come back again from a calf harm that sidelined him for 2 months.
“I am going to trip or die for J.B. and our teaching employees, and I am going to trip or die for our younger guys, even after I’m giving 60%, 70% of myself up proper now as a result of I am nonetheless getting over the hump with my harm,” Love stated. ” … I do not care about how you are feeling about me or what you see in me. What issues to me is the opinion of my teammates and the way they really feel about me and the way everyone on this group feels about me.
“So I dwell at peace, realizing that they assume extremely of me and I believe extremely of them.”