Following a season-worst five points on 1-of-7 shooting in Monday's victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavs big man Kevin Love received some constructive criticism through the media from LeBron James.
"I think Kev had some shots that he passed up on," James said, via Igor Mello of CBS Sports. "Maybe he felt that he just wasn't in a good rhythm, but I know I hit him with a few [potential] shots after the first quarter where he had some good looks when he decided to swing-swing [with a pass], which is OK, it kept the ball moving. So, I think for Kev, I think his confidence maybe shooting the ball is a little down, but for me as a player, I get him good looks. I want him to shoot the ball and he needs to shoot it with confidence."
Despite being held to single-digit scoring two times over the Cavs' last three games (on just 34.4% shooting from the field), Love says that he's just trying to stick with the plan that's been put in front of him.
"I'm just doing what's being asked of me," Love said. "I think I've kind of been doing that all year. I've been keeping my head up and keeping positive, glass half-full. And I'm just trying to impact the game in other ways as best I can. I think tonight I did that on the defensive end -- stuff that doesn't necessarily show up in the stat sheet, and I've been trying to rebound the ball and get inside the paint a little bit more these past few games.
"Maybe one look, but it was more so on a swing-swing to [Matthew Dellavedova]," Love added. "I think a guy was closing out on me and I hit Delly and Delly didn't end up shooting it. But, no, I think I had some good looks in the first quarter -- a couple tip-ins that I missed; [Timofey Mozgov] and I both went for the lob, I thought I had my hand on it, and missed that one. But, you know, getting good looks there. Not for lack of confidence, no."
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