Cavaliers News, Rumors 2014: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Mike Miller Latest

Cavaliers News, Rumors 2014: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Mike Miller Latest
LeBron James #23 and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after James scored during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Bucks 111-108. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Zachary Stieber
12/3/2014
Updated:
12/4/2014

The Cleveland Cavaliers are picking up momentum and the news and rumors are ramping up.

Check out the latest buzz below.

James Likes Direction of Team

LeBron James says he likes the direction the team is headed in after Tuesday’s 111-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks extended the Cavs winning streak to four.

“We are gonna figure it out,” James told reporters after the game, reported the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

“We’re still going to have some learning curves, but I like the direction we’re heading in right now. I think it starts with myself and Kyrie, and Kevin as well, and everyone has to follow our lead.”

Kyrie Irving scored 28 points, Kevin Love had 27, and James finished with 26 points and 10 assists for the Cavs, who have quickly turned things around following a four-game losing streak.

James also specifically complimented Irving, who has played much better lately.

“He’s very patient and I think he has a lot of confidence, not only in himself, but there are guys around him that can help him, so he doesn’t have to press,” James said. “And that’s very key.”

Irving said he’s figured out his role on the team.

“Whether that’s taking no shots, or taking as many shots as I took tonight, whatever is needed to win, I’m willing to do,” Irving said. “I trust my teammates 100 percent, and whatever’s needed game to game I’m going to do.”

Coach David Blatt complimented Love in addition to Mike Miller, who was crucial in the win.

“I just thought that Kevin, very much like the last game, he got to his spots on the floor. He made shots, he rebounded as he always does, he was very much engaged and played a really solid game for us,” Blatt said.

“During the course of the game, especially with the kind of team that we have, everyone takes up a piece of the game. Sometimes you’re taking up a piece early and sometimes later. But you know, I thought Kevin made one of the bigger shots of the game in the fourth quarter, if you remember the three that he made going down the stretch.

“I think he finished the second half with seven points, but he had already done a great body of work up until that point. He still came out and made that big shot and got a couple of big rebounds, so he was there and that’s important.”

Love Vows to Stay

Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

 

Love also took the time this week to emphasize that he wants to re-sign with the Cavs.

Love is in the final year of his current contract and could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Love pledged to stay with the team in an interview with ESPN Radio.

“Whether we lose two or three games in a row, or there’s a game where my statistical output isn’t necessarily what it should be, people are always going to talk,” said Love.

“Since I was traded to Cleveland this summer, I’ve said since Day 1 that I’m a Cleveland Cavalier long term and I plan for it to be that way. I want to grow with this team. There’s a lot of guys with a lot of unique talent, one-through-fifteen, on our roster who are going to be here for a long time. If I could end all the speculation now, I would.

“But people are going to continue to talk no matter what. I just want to continue getting better with this team long term. I’m a Cleveland Cavalier.”

Love is expected to become an unrestricted free agent, but then sign with the Cavs. Doing that as opposed to signing a contract extension enables him to make more money.

Among the reports indicating that Love might leave was one from NBA.com’s Sam Smith in which he said, “Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list.”

Miller Plays Key Role in Win

Cleveland Cavaliers' Mike Miller, right, blocks a shot from Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, from Greece, during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 111-108. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Mike Miller, right, blocks a shot from Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, from Greece, during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 111-108. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

 

As Mike Miller slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed toward the locker room door wearing a “God Loves Cleveland” T-shirt, a voice from the far corner stopped the Cavaliers’ veteran swingman.

Miller didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

“My hero,” LeBron James yelled.

Miller came off the bench and provided Cleveland with a much-needed spark in the second half Tuesday night, helping the Cavaliers to their fourth straight win, 111-108 over the young-and-hungry Milwaukee Bucks.

Miller, a 15-year veteran best known for his 3-point shooting, who made several big plays in the second half to help put away the Bucks.

Miller didn’t play in Cleveland’s previous three wins, but when coach David Blatt turned to him in the third quarter, the 34-year-old responded.

“We were in trouble and we had to do something,” Blatt said. “Mike answered the call.”

Miller made two 3-pointers, grabbed seven rebounds and made a crucial block in 18 minutes — all in the second half.

“He sort of stabilized us, gave the others confidence and that’s what a veteran should do,” Blatt said. “I gotta give him a lot of credit. He hasn’t played in the last several games and we threw him into a very tough situation and he answered the call in a big way.”

James, who won two titles with Miller in Miami, wasn’t surprised.

“I’ve played with him for so long that I know exactly how he can be effective,” James said. “He’s going to be very important to our team.”

Brandon Knight scored 24 and 19-year-old rookie Jabari Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, had 22 points for Milwaukee.

The Cavs trailed 89-86 when Love hit a tying 3-pointer with 4:44 left. Milwaukee pushed the ball up the floor and 6-foot-11 Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed to have a mismatch on a drive, but he had his baseline shot blocked by the 6-foot-8 Miller, who has creaky knees and not the vertical jump he once had.

Asked to describe the game’s biggest play, Miller grinned.

“It’s what I do,” he deadpanned, drawing laughter from reporters. “I made my career on that.”

Following the block, Irving made a twisting layup and was fouled. His three-point play made it 92-89, and after Parker missed a jumper, James scored on a driving layup to put the Cavs up five with 3:48 left.

Still, the Bucks stayed close and were within four on Knight’s 3-pointer with 15 seconds to go. However, James made eight free throws in the final 33 seconds to put Milwaukee away.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Parker made the game’s most sensational play, beating Anderson Varejao with a crossover dribble and delivering a vicious, left-handed dunk. Parker finished one point shy of his season high, but he wasn’t concerned about anything other than the loss. “It doesn’t matter,” Parker said. “If we lose it’s out the window. That’s all I care about. I don’t care about stats. You’ve got to get the win. That’s all that counts.”

Cavaliers: James was impressed with Parker. “He’s excellent,” he said. “The talent is there. He’s explosive, can shoot and can rebound.” ... Cleveland has reportedly submitted a bid to host the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. James was aware of the possibility, joking it could be a personal nightmare. “It would be too much for me,” he cracked. “I think it would be great for us to host it, but hopefully I’m no good in that year. Family and friends, I don’t want it. Too much.”

James Says He Hasn’t Scrapped Chalk Toss

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James tosses chalk in the air before the start of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James tosses chalk in the air before the start of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

 

LeBron said he hasn’t scrapped his chalk toss--the popular pregame ritual in which he scoops talcum powder off the scorer’s table and throws it into the air above his head--just that he’s taking a break. 

James was asked following the Cavs’ morning shootaround on Tuesday if he has scrapped the toss. He doesn’t understand all the fuss over the dust.

“No,” he said. “I don’t even know where that came from. It’s just another story.””

It was then pointed out to James that he hasn’t done it in the past few games.

“Cool,” he said, flashing a smile before abruptly ending his interview session at Quicken Loans Arena.

James’ chalk toss became one of his signature practices during his first stint with the Cavaliers. He took it with him to Miami before ending the tradition early in his four-year run with the Heat.

Before Cleveland’s season opener on Oct. 30, James asked fans to vote on Twitter whether he should resume the chalk toss. He brought it back and fans even participated that night against the New York Knicks by tossing paper confetti to replicate James’ move.

The chalk toss isn’t the only thing James has altered recently.

After the Cavs went on a four-game losing streak, James began coming onto the floor with his teammates about an hour before tipoff for a game to get up some shots. He has altered his routine in the past, and said that won’t change.

“Once I get a rhythm with something I kind of stay with it,” he said.

He may stay with his new schedule for the foreseeable future. Last week, James, who said “I stink” during the Cavs’ four-game slide, averaged 25.7 points, 8.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds to be named the Eastern Conference player of the week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.