Kevin Love talks hugging LeBron, stopping Curry on Colbert

Kevin Love discussed embracing LeBron James after winning the NBA title, and what it felt like to shut down Steph Curry in an interview with Stephen Colbert.

Kevin Love became the first member of the NBA championship team the Cleveland Cavaliers to make their way to late-night TV, appearing on Monday’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The three-time All-Star celebrated the win by carrying out the Larry O’Brien trophy, and later bringing out his own WWE belt, which he claims helped the team secure a victory over the record-setting Golden State Warriors.

After seating the trophy in the seat next to him, Love explained what it felt like to play in his first NBA Finals after sitting out last season with a shoulder injury, calling the experience “surreal.” He also noted that they didn’t panic after being down 3-1 against the Warriors because they have always “thrived under chaos,” making sure to ignore all of the stats that said that coming back and winning the title would be impossible.

Colbert then showed the play where Love guarded and managed to stop Stephen Curry from making a three-point shot, which he said involved him putting on his “dancing shoes” and doing everything he could to stay in front of him.

“You’re all over him like a spider-monkey,” joked Colbert. “But he got around you. He got a shot off. What does that feel like, because you know he can hit it from Detroit.”

Love replied that he felt confident because Curry didn’t look at him after throwing up the shot, which he normally did throughout the series, so he knew it wasn’t going in.

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The pair also briefly discussed Draymond Green, who has been accused of being a dirty player after kicking the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams in the groin, and was later suspended for hitting LeBron James in the same area after he stepped over him. Love promised that he knew how to protect himself after Colbert asked whether he was afraid Green would work his “balls like a speed bag,” preventing him from having children, with the host complimenting him on his “ball handling skills.”

In the next segment, Love reflected on the photo of him hugging a crying James. The NBA player maintained that he quickly embraced his team mate because he “didn’t want to be the guy searching for someone to hug,” and luckily he found the one guy everyone wanted to hug after he fell to his knees in tears to celebrate his hometown’s first title in 50 years.

He went on to explain how his love of ’90s-era pro wrestling helped the team achieve success. His fandom led the WWE to make a championship belt for him that says “Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Champions 2016” on one side. Love stated that the team went into the finals viewing it as if it were a wrestling match, which helped motivate them.

Colbert ended by asking Love about JR Smith’s refusal to wear a shirt since winning the championship, which was even discussed during a phone conversation between President Obama and head coach Tyronn Lue, with Love admitting that he lives vicariously through Smith.

The host then closed by asking Love whether he felt like the Cavs can repeat next year. “We get everybody back, we feel like we can,” he responded.

Watch the entire interview below:

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Love, who isn’t known for his defensive prowess, was criticized by fans and sports commentators alike throughout the finals for his lack of effort after sitting out one game with a head injury, but he may have redeemed himself with his critical defensive possession, squelching trade rumors in the process.

Tune into The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on CBS. The rest of the week’s guests include Tom Brokaw, Samuel L. Jackson Ellie Kemper, Zachary Quinto and Natasha Lyonne. Be sure to follow Last Night On on Facebook and Twitter for updates on all of the late-night shows.

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