INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – When LeBron James called, Kevin Love said goodbye Minnesota and hello Cleveland. Love left behind six seasons without a playoff appearance, and immediately began visualizing NBA championships.
Just as James helped draw Chris Bosh with him to Miami four years ago, James' first call as a Cav was to Love, his former Olympic teammate, who was looking for a way out of Minneapolis with one year remaining on his contract with the Timberwolves.
"LeBron had signed to come back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and just few hours later he called me, and I said, 'You know what? I'm in,' " Love said Tuesday. "[James signing] had a lot to do with my decision."
Love, traded to the Cavs in a three-team deal announced Saturday, was introduced to a media throng Tuesday at the Cavaliers' practice facility in suburban Cleveland. Love has not signed an extension with the Cavaliers, but said he planned to stay.
"Like I told [Cavs General Manager David] Griffin, and [owner] Dan Gilbert, I'm committed to this team, committed long-term to the end goal, and that's to win championships, and to win a championship here in Ohio," Love said.
Love, a three-time NBA All-Star forward, acknowledged a sometimes rocky relationship with fans during his Minnesota tenure.
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, Love said, "Just as a guy that worked extremely hard, was good to the community and tried to fit into that Minnesota nice lifestyle. I know we had some rocky and bittersweet moments, which kind of holds true for any player in the league, but I hope they'll tend to look at the good times, like I do."
Love said it was tough not making the playoffs in his six years with Minnesota.