CLEVELAND — Before the game, LeBron James and Kevin Love recreated their old handshake from their 2016 Cavaliers championship days.
What James did to his friend and former teammate Love in the second quarter Monday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse brought instant regrets.
James posterized Love with a second-quarter slam that Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel thought was one of James’ career bests.
As James explained, after an offensive rebound he drove down the middle. He didn’t see Love until it was too late.
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“Once I got the bounce pass and I put my left leg down into the ground, that’s when I looked up,” James said. “I hate that it had to be him. He’s my guy, that’s my brother. And hope I’m still invited to the wedding.
“That’s not even in my all-time dunks, take it out. I didn’t mean it, K-Love. I love you and I take it back. I wish I could take those two points back and we still win the game by nine.”
Love put James in a headlock, and James didn’t seem to mind. Afterward, the two exchanged banter on social media, with James replying to Love with, “Forgive me!”
James recorded a triple-double with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Lakers (31-41) claimed a 131-120 victory over the Cavs (41-31).
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James plays against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 21, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cavs point guard Darius Garland played for Team James at the All-Star Game and wouldn’t agree that 38 was a lot of points for a 37-year-old.
“He’s one of the greatest to touch a basketball,” Garland said of James. “Just how basketball goes. When you make a shot, the rim starts looking big.
“When you tried to guard one of the greatest players to touch a basketball, it’s pretty tough. So take the chances of LeBron having 30 when he comes home.”
Follow Marla Ridenour on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James dunks on Cavaliers’ Kevin Love in Cleveland homecoming
