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A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 3 OcTOber 2017
Cavaliers moving Love to center, Thompson to reserve role

By TOM WITHERS you come off the bench or take the toughest match-
AP Sports Writer you start. And it’s not about up between the 3s and the
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cava- who starts the game, it’s 4s and LeBron will be able
liers All-Star Kevin Love is about who is in the game to roam and kind of quar-
being moved after all — in the fourth and who is fin- terback our defense. Be-
from forward to center. ishing it. So, I’m not worried. ing that back line defense,
Love, who has been the The last time I came off the talking, communicating,
subject of trade specu- bench, if history repeats and also being able to pick
lation for three years in itself, we had a parade in off passes when guys are
Cleveland, will be the June. So, I’ll take it. throwing bad passes. I like
club’s new starting cen- “I’m going to go for Sixth LeBron in that role because
ter, coach Tyronn Lue an- Man of the Year, put myself he’s great at being the
nounced Monday night in position to do that.” help guy, being in the right
after the team played an Lue has more options this spots at the right places, so
intra-squad scrimmage at season after Cleveland’s I think it will be good for us.”
Quicken Loans Arena. In this May 1, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love, roster was overhauled with For now, James is sidelined
Lue has experimented with left, tries to keep the ball from Toronto Raptors’ P.J. Tucker dur- Irving being traded to Bos- with a sprained left ankle
Love at center during train- ing the first half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA basketball ton and the additions of sustained last week in prac-
ing camp and believes the playoff series in Cleveland. Rose, Crowder, Dwyane tice.
new-look lineup will create Associated Press Wade, Isaiah Thomas and Lue said the three-time
matchup problems for op- liked it.” son started all 78 games at Jeff Green.Wade will likely champion will not play in
posing centers as well as Center Tristan Thompson center for Cleveland last be Cleveland’s backup Wednesday night’s exhi-
open the floor for LeBron will come off the bench, season. In 2016, he made point guard until Thomas bition opener against At-
James, Derrick Rose and and newly acquired for- just 33 starts and the Cavs recovers from a hip inju- lanta. James’ injury is not
others. ward Jae Crowder will take went on to win the NBA ry, but Lue said he hasn’t believed to be serious, and
“He’s a great passer,” Lue Love’s former spot, Lue title.“I told him I’m one guy committed to that idea the Cavs will make sure he’s
said of Love. “Fives (cen- said. Crowder, acquired you don’t have to worry just yet.As for Crowder, Lue full healed before he plays.
ters) have to get out and this summer in the Kyrie Ir- about,” Thompson said. said his defensive presence Lue said he expects James
try to guard him on the pick ving trade, is a strong de- “I’m a team-first guy. will free up James. on the court at some point
and roll with LeBron and D- fender. I understand that at the “With Jae starting at the in the preseason. Cleve-
Rose and those guys mak- Lue said he spoke to end of the day it’s about four, LeBron’s able to roam land opens the regular
ing plays, so it’s going to be Thompson about the switch winning and if you win, we freely on the defensive season on Oct. 17 against
tough for those guys. We and “it was great.” Thomp- all look good — whether end,” Lue said. “Jae will Irving and the Celtics.q