The Cleveland Cavaliers recently faced the Chicago Bulls in their home arena on Monday night. Currently positioned fourth in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers, 24-14, defeated the Bulls by 145-134. The outstanding performance by Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell prompted one of his teammates to state that it was the best performance he had seen in his career.
However, shortly after the Cavs star made the statement, he took to Twitter to list the top five games that showcased incredible performances by NBA stars. While Love clarified that the games were not in particular order on the list, it nonetheless started a debate among fans.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love couldn’t stop praising teammate Donovan Mitchell during the post-game media interview session. Love had publicly acknowledged it as the best performance he had witnessed.
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However, hours later Love listed four more iconic moments, other than Mitchell’s 71-point performance, as the best performances he had witnessed.
Kevin Love puts LeBron James first
In the recent Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Chicago Bulls, Donovan Mitchell became the highlight of the night after the Cavs guard dropped 71 points.
The game was an iconic one for the Cavs because Mitchell had set the record for highest points scored in one game in the franchise’s history. Following the iconic win, teammate Kevin Love praised Mitchell during the post-game media interview.
No particular order but these top my time as a Cav
Bron Game 1 2018 finals
Ky 55 vs Portland and 57 vs San Antonio
Don 71 tonight
Bron and Ky 41 a piece in game 5 down 3-2 2016 finals
Obviously my 34 point first quarter against PortlandWhat am I missing?
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 3, 2023
The 2016 NBA champion said, “In my 15 years, that’s the best performance I’ve ever seen, ever been a part of. I’ve seen some special ones, I was talking about Kyrie here against Portland when he had 55, LeBron in game one of the 2018 Finals, 57 for Kyrie in San Antonio. But this one takes the cake… “
Several hours after the interview, Love uploaded his list of top five games. The list included LeBron James‘ iconic Game 1 performance against the Golden State Warriors in 2018 Finals. However, several fans asked Love to not take the spotlight away from Mitchell. Whereas, others thought that Love included LeBron so as to not make him feel left out. Below are a few of the tweets.
Let today be about Spida alone with due respect! https://t.co/hMLOUj4bop
— 维克 (@vicdvictor) January 3, 2023
You only added Game 1 of 2018 so LeBOZO didn’t feel left out. Obv Kyrie has the most phenomenal individual performances during your stint in Cleveland. It ain’t even close. You didn’t even mention his single-handed comeback on Christmas in 2016 or his OT heroics vs Wash. in 2017
— ꀗꐟ𝛤𝜀𝜈𝜀𝜂𝑔𝜀𓂀 (@GOATHANDLE) January 3, 2023
Def not Game 1 of the 2018 championship series, when JR Smith dribbled the wrong way
— Natalie Elizabeth (@nataliebrosy) January 3, 2023
Don’t back track now after saying that Dons was the best performance you’ve seen live. Don’t worry, old man Lebron isn’t coming after you. His peeps might though lol
— Timmy T (@TTimmytwo) January 3, 2023
Donovan did it with a Win too, something that he’s been labeled many times not being able to and I bet it feels good to get a W. He played with heart and has defensive lapses but I’m watching Donovan grow with my eyes every year. Ready for what he can bring in the playoffs
— Larry West (@cityballer28) January 3, 2023
Bron game 1 2018 finals is overlooked because unfortunately it ended in an L but I remember that day so well! Sitting there in absolute awe it was nothing we may ever see again. Greatest individual game of all time. @channingfrye
— Jae Curtis (@JaeCurtis) January 3, 2023
Had to clean up that “best performance you ever seen” lol don’t play with Bron like that
— Murda Mar🌻💫 (@EpicMar) January 3, 2023
Is this since you’ve been a Cav? Cause Bron 2007 game 5 east finals against pistons where he had 48 and scored 25 points in a row and won in OT was legendary
— Ryan (@Rdk_23) January 3, 2023
How is a 71 point effort not tops?
Oh the others were playoff games— DontShushMe (@DontShushMe12) January 3, 2023
Smh so ya'all made Klove have to make a list ?! He just witnessed those 71 points live , let him be damn. He wouldn't have felt like it was the best performance he has ever witnessed in one week.
— 𝙊𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖 𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙖 (@OrSama3) January 3, 2023
LeBron James’ iconic performance against the Warriors
Back in 2018, when LeBron James was still playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he had delivered a stellar performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Cavs were up against the Golden State Warriors that boasted a strong roster with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
King James stunned everyone as he increased the odds of winning against the Warriors until his teammate caused a blunder at the end of the fourth quarter.
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The Cavs had 106 against the Warriors’ 106 when Cavs point guard George Hill attempted to tie the score with a shot. However, he missed the shot and the rebound was secured by JR Smith. Smith dribbled to half court despite James’ continuous call for the ball.
WATCH THIS STORY:?Which Are the Five Teams That LeBron James Has Scored the Most Points Against in the NBA?
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“I thought we were going to take a timeout because I got the rebound. I?m pretty sure everybody didn?t think I was going to shoot it over KD right there. ? I tried to bring it out and get enough space to maybe get a shot off. I looked over at LeBron and he looked like he was trying to get a timeout. So I stopped, and the game was over,”?Smith said during post-game interview.
While James finished the game with 51 points, the Cavs lost to the Warriors 124-114.