Following the Cavs’ final game before the All-Star break, on Feb. 15 in Philadelphia, and The Athletic reported that the Cavs and Love were finalizing a contract buyout, Love reached out to Wade. Love encouraged him to continue shooting, and to be the best version of himself. Love knew that Wade was under pressure to not only produce in his minutes, but in a way, validate the decision for the buyout, so he reminded Wade that the Cavs signed him last summer for a reason.
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Love also had an in-depth heart-to-heart with Rubio in which the two former teammates discussed not only their journey together that began years ago in Minnesota but the importance of filling Cleveland’s leadership void -- a way Love kept adding value even without playing time.
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“That’s the business of the game,” Garland said. “I was kind of sad that he asked for the buyout, but it’s the best decision for him. He is doing good. I watch almost every game. Looks confident out there. I’m just happy he’s happy again playing the game he loves, getting some touches, minutes, a lot more minutes, on hopefully a playoff contender.”
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“He embraced a role that a lot of guys in his position wouldn’t have been able to do, and he was successful in it when he embraced it. So, I think he gave me an opportunity to coach people differently, because he was willing to sacrifice so much so I could hold everybody else to that same standard.”
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In the days leading up to Cleveland’s arrival in Miami, Jarrett Allen said that he missed Love’s presence among the Cavs.
“His ability to make sure everybody is not too tight, make sure that we’re not taking this thing too seriously and just realizing that we’re playing a game and just have fun with it,” Allen said.
And to Allen, no one on the team has quite filled that hole. Yet, in the seven games since the All-Star break, Bickerstaff said he thinks everyone has found their own way to step up.