LeBron: Kyrie, Love playing 'the best basketball of their careers'
For the first time since 2004-05, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers has a usage rate below 30 percent (29.4), and while he he's still soaking up his fair share of possessions when he's on the floor, the stellar play of both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love has helped alleviate any pressure there may be.
"They've been playing probably the best basketball of their careers thus far," James said following Cleveland's convincing 114-84 victory over the Miami Heat at the Q on Friday night, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
What James finds most encouraging is how well Love has played through 21 games, averaging 21.7 points on 45.6 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists for his best numbers to date since joining the organization. The three-time All-Star led the Cavs with a double-double of 28 points and 15 boards on an efficient 11-of-18 shooting in 30 minutes against the Heat.
"He's the Kevin Love of old, and this is everything we expected out of him," James added. "That's what we want out of him. But there's no added pressure for him. He's going out and just playing his game right now. He's shooting the ball extremely well. He's rebounding at a high clip, and he's at a point where he's just comfortable with everything, and it's great to have him."
Love was essentially a big fish in a small pond during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up staggering numbers in a losing environment. In his second season with the now reigning and defending champions, the 28-year-old embraces the challenge that comes with being at the top and looking down on the rest of the league, while still producing at a level he knows he's capable of.
"I think just the difference is that we're winning," Love said. "I think I've played a very high level of basketball before. I don't know if better than right now, but I know I've played at a very, very high level - even at points through the last two years. It's not like I forgot how to play. I just think I just feel comfortable with this team.
"(Coach) Ty Lue has me in a lot of great spots, and I'm just playing with a lot of confidence. But the difference is, back four-to-five years ago, we weren't finishing out games, making it to the playoffs, that sort of thing. So I think the fact that we're winning games, and Ky is playing at such a high level, Bron is playing at such a high level, that it's making everybody - all 15 of these guys and the coaching staff - look good."
Not to be outdone, Irving has boosted both his scoring totals (19.6 to 24.5) and percentages (44.8 to 48.7 percent from the field and 32.1 to 42.4 percent from 3-point range) since the 2015-16 campaign, while also bolstering a higher usage rate than The King (29.9).
"Coming off a year like we had last year ... it was a load for our confidence," said Irving. "Coming into this season, we knew what to expect. The trust factor is there. There are really no more questions in terms of what level we have to play at in order to be great every single night. We don't have the kind of the miscues and the unknowns. The questions are answered, and we're just straight up with one another, earnest all the time, and if there's a problem we fix it right away. It's a tell-tale sign of a maturing, great basketball team."