Twitter tumult might be a sign of strained relations

Kevin Love may be one of LeBron James' 18.7 million followers on Twitter. But that's not how he communicates with his superstar teammate.

Love said on Tuesday he was blindsided this weekend when he found out James had posted a tweet aimed at him. Following practice, Love insisted he and James are on good terms.

"I was caught off guard when I heard about it," Love said of the cryptic tweet sent by James.

"I talk to LeBron every day. There's no problem with us. He said if he had a problem with me or any of the coaches or training staff, he'd go right to them."

The social media mix-up began on Saturday night when James tweeted: "Stop trying to find a way to FIT-OUT and just FIT-IN. Be apart of something special! Just my thoughts."

The phrases "fit out" and "fit in" are the same words Love used earlier this season to describe how he was trying to mesh with his new team.

After Love scored a season-high 32 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, James initially told a large media group his tweets weren't intended for anyone.

Later, he told a few reporters it was "not a coincidence" his tweet matched Love's words. Then, on Monday, James posted a tweet blaming reporters for concocting a story.

James didn't feel the need to clarify his tweets after practice as the Cavs prepared for a rematch with Miami, which beat Cleveland on Dec. 25 in the four-time MVP's first game against his former team.

James said if he has something to say to Love - or anyone - he'll deliver it personally.

"I'm not sugarcoating or hiding behind it," James said. "I gotta see him every day, so if I have something to say to him, I'll say it to his face. The rest of the guys, too."

James said he hopes other players would come to him, too, if they have issues.

Love said he didn't know if James' original tweet was about him.

"I truly feel if LeBron had a problem with me or needed to talk to me for good or for worse, he would have come up and talked to me," he said.

Love acknowledged the Twitter tumult had him confused but said he doesn't feel bad about it.

"You guys can write what you want to write. There's no problem with us. I'm going to keep saying that I'm trying to help this team," he said.

"That's all that matters. I don't need any validation."

Meanwhile, the Cavs have won 13 of 14 and are playing like NBA title contenders. It has taken some time for the team to jell, but James believes Cleveland is coming together, progressing after some early stumbles.

"First my rookie year, my first year in Miami and now being back here, it's like a startup company," he said. "You get guys around that you feel can help the company build and you get guys that have one goal. So, it's my third time doing it."

The Cavs have undergone major changes since their last meeting with the Heat, who will be without All-Star Dwyane Wade (hamstring). Cleveland's roster could be reshaped again if the team pursues Ray Allen, the free agent sharpshooter who could sign with someone after the All-Star break.

James said Allen would proved a big boost for Cleveland's title run.

"It would be great to have a piece like that," said James, who played with Allen in Miami.

(China Daily 02/12/2015 page19)