CLEVELAND, Ohio - "I'm just thankful and excited to be here," he told Northeast Ohio Media Group. "This is what it's all about. You play for moments like these. I've been trying to get here (playoffs) my entire career and it's everything I had hoped for."

An inspired and encouraged Kevin Love spoke these words the day before that infamous Game 4 against the Boston Celtics, a game he obviously didn't play much of.

It was a Saturday, to be exact. It was the Cavaliers' last practice at The TD Garden before gearing up for an intense showdown with a desperate Celtics squad that would do whatever was in its power to avoid a sweep at home.

With his team on the brink of advancing to the second round, Love was enjoying his first postseason experience. He was filled with so much life and enthusiasm. He was a different person. He was much more tuned in and approachable, unlike the Love that moped around the court for much of the regular season.

An average of 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 47 percent shooting from 3-point range in his first three postseason games illustrates that second wind he caught. It was a new season for him, and at the time it was the healthiest he had been all year for the Cavaliers.

The back was good and the knees weren't an issue. All was well.

"I feel pretty damn good," he said.

Love was operating in a good place.

The power forward was so proud of his Game 2 halfcourt alley-oop reverse dunk in Game 2. He brought it up unprompted a few times that afternoon.

"You didn't think I had that in me," Love said to me with a dead stare. "I still got it from time to time. Don't count me out. This is the best I've felt in a long time. I think you can see it in my bounce with that spectacular dunk," Love said in jest.

"But seriously, I feel good."

Love needed this postseason. It was his chance to leave an overwhelming positive lasting impression on the season. He admitted that his first year in Cleveland was "so-so." All he needed was 13 more wins and it would have drastically reshaped his narrative and he was well on his way.

We spoke briefly about the rest of the field in the playoffs and when I mentioned the Chicago Bulls, his eyes lit up, knowing the Cavaliers were in all likelihood on the verge of a head-on collision with their division rival.

"Man, they look good, but I can't get ahead of myself," he said. "They'll be tough."

He was looking forward to what was in store this postseason. Suddenly, the game of basketball was fun again. He was playing in games that actually mattered and performing at a high level. The three-time All-Star was just finding his rhythm and it was only going to get better.

On Sunday, most knew Love wasn't coming back when he sprinted off the court in the first quarter while holding his left shoulder in place. The hope was that he would return at some point during the Eastern Conference semifinal round.

Those hopes were dashed when Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced on Tuesday that it's "highly unlikely" that Love will be able to play again in these playoffs.

Love has been through an awful lot this season. On Saturday he said he could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. He was making strides in becoming the player Cavaliers fans were expecting all season long, and he wanted to be that guy. He was on his way.

The Kelly Olynyk yank did so much more than just dislocate a shoulder; it dislocated Love's resurgence, his re-engagement and his second chance at redemption. It was a disastrous turn of events, all thanks to a "non-basketball," inappropriate "bush-league" play.

And that's the unfortunate part. Love didn't deserve this.