LeBron James Jokes That He Would Vote Kevin Love for MVP

Kevin Love may have picked Russell Westbrook as his MVP, but LeBron James isn't afraid to support Love's MVP candidacy. 

Well, sort of. 

Prior to closing out the regular season with a home tilt against the fifth-seeded Washington Wizards, James gave a tongue-in-cheek response when reporters asked who he would select as his MVP, according to Northeast Ohio Media Group's Chris Haynes: 

Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan captured the mood following James' humorous remark:   

James' fictitious selection comes on the heels of Love's March appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, during which he gave LeBron plenty of props despite picking his former UCLA teammate for MVP, as relayed by ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin: 

"

I would just say because of time spent on the court, you know Bron took those few games off and those couple of weeks off. ... They're both having MVP-type seasons, but I'm going to go with Russell Westbrook because every single night you're looking at his stat sheet, they're fighting for a playoff spot even with Serge Ibaka going down now, Kevin Durant potentially being out the rest of the year and [Westbrook] still going out there and really fighting for his team and them winning and fighting for that seventh and eighth spot in the playoffs. I think Russ is arguably having the better season.

"

It should be noted that James didn't take exception to Love's remarks, saying, "I don't really think too much of it, really," according to McMenamin. "I don't really get involved in that. I think the voters are going to decide who is the MVP."

Friendly banter aside, Love has helped bolster Cleveland's fourth-ranked offense even if he hasn't been producing MVP-caliber numbers as the Cavaliers' third wheel behind James and Kyrie Irving. 

Love is one of eight players averaging at least 16 points and nine rebounds this season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, and Cleveland's offense has produced at a league-best clip with him on the floor. 

James and Love have also been prolific when sharing the floor. In nearly 1,800 minutes together, the star duo posted a net efficiency rating of plus-10.6 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com. 

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

"While he may be the Cavs' third scoring option this season, Love's presence alone has a positive impact on players like James and Irving," Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz wrote. "His ability to hit the three forces opponents to step out and guard him, helping to create driving lanes."

So much for a lack of chemistry. 

Love won't receive MVP consideration this year after receiving votes during the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons, but make no mistake—he'll be an integral piece of Cleveland's postseason push. 

Following a four-year playoff absence, the Cavaliers will make their return to the NBA's second season with a Sunday showdown against the seventh-seeded Boston Celtics.