Kevin Love had the privilege of playing alongside LeBron James for four seasons as the leading stars for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Throughout that time and after their stints together, they've gotten to know each other on and off the court. Those experiences allowed Love to have a clear description on how smart of a player James actually is.
Kevin Love's 'smartest' label on LeBron James
Love represented the Cavaliers for nine seasons from 2014 to 2023. He helped them win their first-ever NBA championship in 2016 alongside James, who played through his second Cleveland stint from 2014 to 2018.
Love made a special guest appearance on the Old Man and the Three podcast on Tuesday. It was there where he talked about his time connecting with James as both a player and person. Having played with and against James throughout his career, the veteran forward revealed his thoughts on playing with one of the best players in NBA history.
“In shootaround or even out there on the floor, he could do every team’s scout. He knew every team’s play, he knew every guy’s tendency. He watched endless amounts of basketball… It’s a true gift," Love said at the 23:50 mark. "In terms of basketball, he does have a photographic type memory. That’s not normal… It’s a hack when the best player in the world, a 6’9” 260 LB freight train, is setting the tone in that way.”
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Love helped James reach the NBA Finals four consecutive times from 2015 to 2018, cementing himself as one of the best players to ever play for the Cavaliers. He earned two All-Star selections throughout his nine-year stint, averaging 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game throughout 489 appearances.
Both players have since parted ways as James dons the Los Angeles Lakers uniform while Love plays for the Utah Jazz. The former continues to play at an incredible level at age 41 while Love remains productive off the bench with his perimeter shooting and rebounding.
Regardless, their connection as former co-stars remains strong after creating incredible history for the Cavaliers in the mid-to-late 2010s.
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