Kevin Love has been on a generational Instagram run these last few weeks. It all started when Jimmy Butler said he wanted out of Miami. In response, Love used his creativity to the fullest, referencing Boyz II Men’s song ‘End of the Road’ in a post, comparing Butler’s desire to leave the Heat to the feelings of a 90s R&B group. After the 35-year-old was suspended for seven games, the power forward shared a post with the words, “Last 3 hours – Emo state” in reference to Butler’s emo hairstyle at the 2023 NBA Media Day.
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Fittingly, Love declared his retirement from making memes once Butler made his way to Golden State. However, it didn’t last long. LeBron James’ message to Luka Doncic ahead of his Lakers debut made Love come out of his ‘early retirement.’ Last night, Luka made his debut for the Lakers as they hosted the Jazz. Before the game, James shared a powerful message for Doncic.
“Luka be your f***ing self. Don’t fit in, fit the f*** out,” James told his new teammate.
It was a great gesture on James’ behalf, making sure that Doncic doesn’t worry about stepping on anyone’s toes, and rather plays his natural game. However, this message reminded Kevin Love of a dark time. Ten years ago, almost to the day, LeBron James took to X (then Twitter) to express his frustration at Love following a forgettable performance. In that infamous tweet, LeBron, freshly back in Cleveland, had hinted that Love was trying to play his own tune. James subtly told everyone he needed Love to instead become one with the team.
On Feb 8th, 2015, James tweeted, “Stop trying to find a way to FIT-OUT and just FIT-IN. Be apart of something special! Just my thoughts.”
Stop trying to find a way to FIT-OUT and just FIT-IN. Be apart of something special! Just my thoughts
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 8, 2015
Kevin Love shared the same on his Instagram with a hilarious caption, expressing how he’s masked his pain. Love wrote,
“Punching the air right now!!! [sad emoticon]
Just my thoughts @kingjames #10yearslaterstillahater #LeHurtMyFeelings”
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For Love to point out the irony in the difference in James’ statement is hilarious. However, it could also show how James has changed in the last decade. In 2015, he was 30 and back in Cleveland, letting everyone else know it was his team. Now, at 40, this message to Luka could mean that James is handing the reins over, and now it’s Doncic’s team.
We’ll hope someone asks James about the Love’s post, and see how he reacts to his former teammate’s pain.
