“They’re Gonna Be the Scapegoat”: Kevin Love Opens Up About the Pressure of Being on LeBron James’ Team

Kevin Love spoke about the pressure over the Lakers players playing alongside LeBron James. Speaking with JJ Redick on Friday, he spoke about the fate of those players who are underperforming and “messing up the Lakers season”.

“They’re gonna be the scapegoat”, said Love who was extremely candid on the matter.

In other words, Love said that the pressure of simply being around LeBron James is tremendous. His every move is followed. Therefore, whoever is not performing well in his team is under scrutiny immediately.

Kevin Love is a former champion himself and was LeBron’s teammate in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hence, he knows what it is like to have your every move watched and studied. Through 4 seasons and 4 NBA Finals, Kevin Love had first-hand experience of the pressure that comes with playing next to LeBron James.

Further, Love expounded on the Lakers’ struggles this season with an injured Anthony Davis.

What can AD’s return mean for LeBron James and the Lakers?

Kevin Love said that Anthony Davis is the catalyst the Lakers need for them to turn things around. Chiefly, he believes that a healthy and motivated Davis can take the team to another “stratosphere”. Specifically, Russell Westbrook would play better and with LeBron playing at his current level, the team would be in a good position to start dominating.

The Brow has been out since December 17, when the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels collapsed onto his left knee. However, the Lakers are hopeful that he might return at the end of the Lakers long road trip which started on a good note today in Orlando.

Read more: “How to Make Russ a Dwyane Wade From the Miami Days”: Former NBA Star Calls Out LeBron James Over Russell Westbrook’s Lakers Struggles

How are the Lakers faring right now?

Having lost 4 out of last 5 games, the LA Lakers got a much needed win today against the Orlando Magic today. Notably, LeBron balled out with 29 points and Russell Westbrook played 35 minutes of basketball. Westbrook, who was benched in the last quarter of their game against the Pacers, got much more playing time than he has been getting in the past 3 games.

The Lakers need Westbrook to play well in order to win games, especially until the time Anthony Davis is missing from the lineup. Further, they need players like Monk and Horton-Tucker to compensate for the firepower missing due to Davis’ injury.

Will Davis’ return will change their fate? Let us know in the comments.

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