Kevin Love understands the hatred, but he says that his dismissal on Monday night was caused by disappointment with the referee, not as a sign he would give the Cleveland Cavaliers another defeat at the end of the season Used to be.
A video of the five-time All-Star forward went viral earlier this week after Prem angrily knocked the ball into the court for a turnover and Monday’s third quarter with a 3-point shot by Raptors guard Malachi Flynn. Damaged Toronto late in the year.
“The intention was not malicious there. It was not against the team, “Love Told USA Today. He said, “Not much can be said that I can be fined, but it is disgraceful.
“When I snatched that ball, I didn’t realize that it wasn’t even inbounds. I was a little uprooted. I was going to grab it and throw it back to pass the ball [teammate Darius Garland] and move on. I get optics. I have to take something on the chin and understand that it looked very bad. “
With 33 seconds left in the third quarter, Flynn bridged Love for a layoff. Prem was pushed from behind in the play by Freddy Gillipsy of Toronto, but there was no dishonesty. He saw official Courtney Kirkland, and threw the ball away as another official, Brandon Schwab, attempted to hand him over for an inbound play. Stanley Johnson of Toronto got the loose ball and gave a pass to Flynn for a wide-open 3-pointer.
The 32-year-old Love, who was disrespected for the fourth quarter by coach JB Bickerstaff, said he apologized to the team, coaching staff and members of the front office after the game in the locker room.
According to the report, Love said that they understand that it was a quick moment. “It is something that you handle internally.
“During the season, these types of things happen. The world we live in now becomes a viral video or meme. Everyone starts talking about it. But with a relationship with my own teammates, coaches and the front office, everyone will take these 24-48 hours and then move on. “
Bickerstaff called the play “a lapse in judgment” and said that he talks to Love about it.
Love has averaged 11.7 points per game in 18 matches this season for CAS (21-40) – the second-lowest scoring production of his 13-year career. In the second season of a four-year, $ 120 million contract extension with the Cavs rebuild, Love insisted that he remain committed to the franchise.
“Whatever you give to the game, it’s going to give you back,” Love said. “So I think it would be a really good place for them to do it right. When all this is said and done, when they look back, they say, ‘This man helped me.’ This is something in which I hold a lot of equity – just to be able to help that next guy.
“You have to set a standard, especially for someone who is in my 13th year and the whole year is right for this team. Sometimes that one thing or one bad moment can mess up how outsiders – people outside – can see you. But for me, I just have to do the right thing and feel good in it. “
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