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'I'll always come back': Kevin Love details his love for Cleveland in return
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- 'I'll always come back': Kevin Love details his love for Cleveland in return
CLEVELAND — Kevin Love thinks about it every single day.
There isn't a day that goes by that Love , now 36 years old, doesn't let his mind wonder back to that momentous accomplishment, when the clock ran out and he bear-hugged LeBron James as the Cavaliers won Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals .
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"All the time," Love said when asked how often he reminisces about that title. "I mean, I have a group chat that I speak to every single day that's — you say the word 'brotherhood,' you win together, that's what it creates, especially in the fashion that we did it and against a team that was really a dynasty, and coming back from 3-1 and what it meant to this city after 52 years.
"It's tough to put into words what that means to all of us, and we're coming up on 10 years now ... It's something I think about every single day."
Love returned to the court in Cleveland for the first time as a member of the Miami Heat Wednesday night in a game t he Cavs won 112-107 in the final minute. In doing so, the Cavs became the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot (at least a six seed).
It was a joyous homecoming of sorts for Love. The Cavs acknowledged him and his accomplishments in Cleveland with a tribute video that heavily highlighted the championship run during a timeout in the first quarter.
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He was also treated to a standing ovation from the Cleveland crowd. As Love waved to them, he pointed to his ring finger, which brought on another loud cheer.
"It was certainly emotional," Love said of the homecoming. "My wife and I talked about it last night and today. Cleveland and Ohio and this organization will always mean a lot to me. I'll always come back.
"All the way from the training staff to the players, to the organization, front office, ownership, fans, the locker room attendants, ball boys, ball girls, all the security guards, people that work the garage here. Just so much love for so many that'll keep me coming back."
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) fights for possession with Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) and guard Alec Burks (18) on March 5, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Kevin Love expects to be included in Cavaliers Ring of Honor one day
It's hard for Love to imagine it's nearly been a decade since the comeback, James' block, Kyrie Irving 's shot, the parade — at least until he catches a glimpse of himself.
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"Not, no really. In some ways I feel very young, and then in other ways I look in the mirror and think, 'Where did the time go?'" Love said. "So 17 years in, I spent eight and a half great years in Cleveland."
Love also revealed Wednesday night he's already been told that he'll one day have his number 0 retired by the team, which certainly isn't a surprise. Playing a key role in ending a 52-year title drought is a pretty easy one-way ticket to the Ring of Honor.
"My number will — because I've been told — eventually go up there next to Nick Gilbert," Love said, referencing the late son of owner Dan Gilbert. "It's just an exciting time. It's good to finally be back after two years now."
And the home crowd at Rocket Arena made one thing clear: Love was most welcome to be back.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kevin Love returns to Cleveland for first time after Cavaliers buyout
