Home Basketball The Sacrifice LeBron James’ Teammates Make to Play Alongside Him

The Sacrifice LeBron James’ Teammates Make to Play Alongside Him

Basketball — 10/26/2023

The NBA season is almost here, but winning games is not the only thing on the minds of basketball players. There is a game within a game.

Consider a recent Kevin Love remark to better comprehend this second game. Love left the Minnesota Timberwolves for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason, where he will play with LeBron James. Although playing with LeBron was Love’s choice, he also noted that it came with a “sacrifice,” according to Love. “I believe it will take an effort from the entire team to do what is best for the Cleveland Cavaliers.” And we still don’t know what that is. But I’m going to do what’s best for this squad to win, because that’s what we want at the end of the day.”

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Cintas Center on October 15, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Joe Robbins—Getty Images)

To understand what Love means by “sacrifice,” consider some recent statements from Chris Bosh. Bosh has been LeBron’s Miami teammate for the past four years. Bosh was paid $67.1 million over four years and won two NBA championships. To put that in context, Bosh was paid $46.9 million over the previous four seasons while his club won only three playoff games (and no playoff series). Despite this record, Bosh said he got hungry while playing alongside LeBron:

“You simply order your entree and leave. What are you doing, I need my appetizer, dessert, and drink, what are you doing? As well as my bread basket. What exactly is going on? I’m starving! It’s very different. But if you persevere, good things can happen. But it never gets any easier. It never gets easier, even in my final year of doing it.”

Bosh’s remarks were about shot attempts and scoring totals, which are also the emphasis of Love’s remarks. Bosh averaged 13.0 field goal attempts and 17.3 points per game while playing with LeBron. Before joining the Heat, Bosh averaged 16.0 field goal attempts and 22.9 points per game in four seasons.

Remember, Bosh had a chance to win in Miami. And he received a raise. However, he became “hungry” as his shot attempts and scores decreased. And Love, who averaged 17.1 field goal attempts and 23.5 points a game in Minnesota over the last four years, expects to “sacrifice” shot attempts and points in order to play with LeBron.