The Cavaliers let Game 1 slip away Thursday night, and may be without Kyrie Irving for the rest of the NBA Finals if a Friday MRI on his left knee holds bad news. Cleveland sure wishes it had Kevin Love at its disposal, and so does Love.
"I've never wanted to be in a game more than that one," Love, whose postseason ended in Game 4 of the first round because of a dislocated shoulder, said via ESPN.com. "I had so much fun watching it because I want to be in a moment like that … I'd rather be out there helping those guys, and I saw a lot of places where I could help.”
Now, five weeks after surgery on his shoulder, Love was relegated to the bench as his teammates fell apart in a 108-100 overtime loss to Golden State.
"I just texted a couple friends of mine saying I've never been so into a game," Love said. "That was fun to watch, besides the final score."
Love can opt out of his contract before June 30 and set the free agent market, or he can test the free-agent market for the first time in his career. After watching Thursday’s loss, Love reiterated his desire to stay in Cleveland and make it to just the second postseason of his career.
"Yes. I want to win,” Love said when asked if he wanted to wear a Cavaliers uniform next season. But for now, he’s stuck in street clothes.