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Cavs: 3 reasons Kevin Love has very quietly become a franchise great

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after a teammate scored during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after a teammate scored during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: NBA player Kevin Love accepts the award for Best Team onstage during the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: NBA player Kevin Love accepts the award for Best Team onstage during the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /

He’s become a member of the community during tough times

Kevin Love is the biggest name on the Cavs and has used his platform to not just speak out on issues, but help those actually affected. Obviously, everyone knows about his issues with mental health and the struggles his anxiety causes him to go through. That would be one thing, but to also handle himself like (mostly) a true professional is impressive. His behind-the-scenes spat with his former friend and teammate Isiah Thomas became front-page fodder, and of course, his own admission and speaking out about it publically has been huge. Not just for athletes being able to be vulnerable but for helping change a toxic culture.

For many in Cleveland though, his support through the coronavirus pandemic has been a welcome relief. He donated $100k to the arena workers who were unable to work in 2020, and then followed that gesture up with $500k to the UCLA medical center for their research on mental health.

Because of these actions and others, Love was awarded many Humanitarian of the Year awards and Athlete of the Year awards, as well as the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

He’s never been just an athlete for the Cavs and somehow, someway, he’s found himself in a legendary place within the franchise. Whether fans are ready to admit it yet, or not, but Love’s legacy with the Cavs is one of hope and success.

That’s all you really need.

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