CLEVELAND _ Kevin Love has survived cryptic tweets, a poolside pow-wow, endless trade rumors and a position change and in every instance put the team above personal interests.
Kyrie Irving endured nagging injuries that threatened to define his career, but also three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, his game-winning shot to end Cleveland's 52-year championship drought and a parade wilder than most could have dreamed. Yet team success wasn't enough and he forced his way out via trade, leaving to expand his game and find a place where his brilliance wouldn't be overshadowed.
The juxtaposition of the two All-Stars' personalities and priorities came into focus again Tuesday night as Irving returned to Cleveland with the Boston Celtics and fell 102-99 to the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in the first half of the NBA's season-opening doubleheader.
For most of the night, Love was the Cavs' forgotten man. Starting at center after moving from power forward to cede that spot to new teammate Jae Crowder, Love scored four points in the first half. At one point in the third quarter, all the Cavs starters had at least seven field-goal attempts except for Love, who was 1 for 3.
Yet with the Cavs up by one coming out of a timeout with 1:04 remaining, coach Tyronn Lue drew up a play designed for either James or Love, and James went to the familiar face. Love's 3-pointer from the weak side with 46 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winning shot as the Cavs staved off the Celtics' rally from an 18-point second-quarter deficit despite a horrific injury to forward Gordon Hayward.
Love finished as the Cavs' second-leading scorer (15) and rebounder (11), trailing only James' 29 points and 16 rebounds.
Lue acknowledged afterward that Love would become his No. 2 scorer despite the presence of Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. If Lue can find a way to get Love more involved, it will be a just reward for Love's three seasons of sacrifice and his penchant for finding himself in the midst of seemingly never-ending drama.
Love's willing attitude, which he most recently stated last week as "shut up, put my head down and just go to work," has often been unappreciated. Now with Irving gone, it could become the mantra of what the Cavs will try to build with eight new players.
In any case, he becomes the Cavs' most dependable second option, especially with Wade's role still in flux.
"That's where he comes from, from Minnesota and being the go-to guy and finishing games and making big shots. We know he can do that," Lue said of Love. "Like tonight the big shot that he made to seal the game. Just put him in some better positions and Kevin delivered tonight."
Irving's return probably brought times that had some Cavs recalling his ability to provide the fourth-quarter dagger, especially when they held their breaths as he missed a game-tying 3 at the buzzer. His steely confidence in himself serves him well in such moments.
But the Cavs certainly hadn't forgotten that he quit on them and set out on a path for greater personal accolades.
Cleveland.com reported that some players were upset about the Cavs' production of a video tribute for Irving. It was never shown, with the team saying it had a floating time slot that never presented itself. Hayward's fractured and dislocated left tibia just 5:15 into the game may have contributed. But considering the ire it prompted, perhaps not.
James said Love told him he hadn't played center since the 2012-13 season in Minnesota when Nikola Pekovic was injured, but James was still touting a higher profile for four-time All-Star Love this season.
"I don't think his role should change. I think it should heighten more," James said Tuesday. "He's going to get so many touches. He's adjusting to playing the 5 ... but he's a smart basketball player, [so] he should adjust well.
"At the end of the day, Kev has to be Kev."
In the dynamic of the Big Three over the previous three seasons, "Kev being Kev" wasn't always a top priority. He usually wasn't a force in the fourth quarter, if he was even on the court.
On Tuesday it was James who saved the Cavs, with 13 of his 29 points in the final 12 minutes. But with the game on the line, James fired a pass to Love, who once again proved his worth, no matter what is asked of him.
