Love "really frustrated" on Cavs' insistence that he not play Game 3

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/740617781117214720

So apparently he CAN play but Cleveland is "being precautionary" with him or something? Is this a ploy where they think they can play better without Love, so they're keeping him out? Or, even worse, is this them not ruining his tradability this summer by him getting hurt even more/damaging his trade value more?

Whatever the case, he looks to be as good as gone from Cleveland. Might be a perfect buy-low candidate if other potential trades don't work out first.

[Lucky17]

Dr. LeJon Brames, Cavs team doctor, reportedly believes that Love might be at risk of "fracturing his main head bone and/or tearing skull cartilage if he attempts to play with concussionitis." 

[jpotter33]

Dr. LeJon Brames, Cavs team doctor, reportedly believes that Love might be at risk of "fracturing his main head bone and/or tearing skull cartilage if he attempts to play with concussionitis."

I mean, I can't believe they would "insist" on him not playing in GAME THREE OF THE NBA FINALS without an ulterior motive.

[hodgy03038]

I think they are making it look like they care when after he was on the floor dazed they let him stay in the game. He should have been removed and tested immediately. That was an obvious screw up on their part and that of the NBA. SO now they act as if they are taking precautions to cover.

[TwinTower14]

I posted this the other day on here.  Lebron's PR team will make Love the scape goat of this series / season and he will be dealt.  Probably to the C's.  I could see 16, 23 and Crowder or Bradley, not both.  Then maybe you can sign Whiteside to protect him on that end of the court and draft Brown to replace Crowder or Murray to replace Bradley.  Then you hang onto next year's Nets pick because if you are picking in the top 5 next year, then you are getting a stud....

[Lucky17]

Dr. LeJon Brames, Cavs team doctor, reportedly believes that Love might be at risk of "fracturing his main head bone and/or tearing skull cartilage if he attempts to play with concussionitis."

I mean, I can't believe they would "insist" on him not playing in GAME THREE OF THE NBA FINALS without an ulterior motive.

Maybe they think they'll get enough of a bump from the home crowd to take Game Three, and a fully cleared Love returns in Game Four?

LeBron is going to have to play close to 48 minutes tonight at PF, right? Lue seems to have lost faith in Frye, and unless the Cavs go big with a Thompson-Mozgov frontline, there's no other real option, is there?

[saltlover]

I don't read that as Love is cleared to play.  Concussions often appear somewhat invisible -- that's why the decision needs to be taken completely out of players' hands.  Love, like most competitors, thinks he's well enough to play, and wants to play accordingly.  But that doesn't mean he's okay to play.

[jambr380]

Hard to believe that Lebron wouldn't play if he had the same injury. I think they are taking this as an opportunity to play smaller while not losing much on D (it's Love). Now Love is a very good player and he would be a plus on any other NBA team, but I think Lebron plays better (or thinks he does) when he is in total control.

Expect Irving to be out for the 2nd half with a baby toe sprain if the Cavs are down at the half.

[CelticSooner]

He had a concussion THREE days ago. He would be lucky to see the floor in Game 5 regardless of his willingness to play.

[saltlover]

Hard to believe that Lebron wouldn't play if he had the same injury. I think they are taking this as an opportunity to play smaller while not losing much on D (it's Love). Now Love is a very good player and he would be a plus on any other NBA team, but I think Lebron plays better (or thinks he does) when he is in total control.

Expect Irving to be out for the 2nd half with a baby toe sprain if the Cavs are down at the half.

If LeBron had a concussion, it should not be his decision.  If the NBA has any kind of actual concussion protocol that is more than "eh, people get hit in the head sometimes", the player's value to the team and desire to play should have ZERO impact on his medical clearance.  That type of thinking is exactly why the NFL is in so much trouble.

Love sustained a concussion.  It was obvious.  It was ridiculous that he not only wasn't taken out of the game after holding the back of his head in obvious pain while laying on the ground for over a minute.  That he was allowed to return for the second half was shocking.  I don't know why the NBA hasn't taken more heat for this -- if it were the NFL, it'd be a national news story.  But the only way they could screw it up more is to let Kevin Love (or any player) be the primary evaluator about his cognitive health.

[guava_wrench]

Dr. LeJon Brames, Cavs team doctor, reportedly believes that Love might be at risk of "fracturing his main head bone and/or tearing skull cartilage if he attempts to play with concussionitis."

 

Nevertheless, there are rules for returning from concussions.

[loco_91]

Concussions are serious business. Love's concussion looked like it might've been severe. Three days is nearly enough to recover from a serious concussion. If you undergo strenuous exercise with a serious concussion, you risk brain damage.

Couple years ago a friend of mine was trying to come back from a concussion after about 2 weeks of recovery. He said he felt ready to go. They put him on the bike and 30 seconds later his was in the bathroom, throwing up violently.

[PhoSita]

"Please Kevin, you're concussed.  We're worried about you.  Also, we really need to win this game."

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Hmmm, maybe this season ends with Cleveland and Love at serious odds with each other, allowing Danny to swoop in with a lowball offer to acquire Love, who finds himself desperate to rebuild his value and thus plays out-of-his-mind awesome for Boston the next few seasons?

[PhoSita]

Hmmm, maybe this season ends with Cleveland and Love at serious odds with each other, allowing Danny to swoop in with a lowball offer to acquire Love, who finds himself desperate to rebuild his value and thus plays out-of-his-mind awesome for Boston the next few seasons?

Thing is, if you're Cleveland, what do you want from Boston for Love?

I think the answer is probably Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. Maybe Marcus Smart as well.

Love is nice, but does it make sense for the Celts to unload basically their entire wing rotation minus Evan Turner to get him?

No, I don't think so.  I mean, maybe if you then went ahead and signed Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard, that would work out just fine.  Doesn't seem very likely to me, though.