CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook about Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers:

1. This is the best version of Kevin Love that Cavs fans have watched. It coincides with the trade of Kyrie Irving to Boston. With Irving gone, Love is now the second scoring option with the Cavs.

2. When the Cavs traded for Love in the summer of 2014, the idea was to form a Big Three -- LeBron James, Irving and Love. It was much like Miami's Big Three from 2010-14 -- James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

3. But Bosh soon learned being the third guy in the Big Three was more like being a "third wheel." He was an afterthought in the offense. Bosh was a 20-point scorer before going to Miami. He also averaged 21 points the season after James left for Cleveland in 2014.

4. While playing with James and Wade, Bosh averaged 17 points for four seasons. In some games, he seemed to disappear -- much like Love did at certain times his first three years as a member of The Big Three.

5. With Irving gone, Love seems to be having more fun playing the game. I was surprised to discover this: He is taking fewer shots per game (13.5) this season than a year ago (14.5).

6. Love's scoring average is up slightly (19.5) compared to 19.0 last season. But more importantly, Love is shooting a career best .474 from the field and .404 on 3-pointers.

7. What's happening? Love is taking BETTER shots because he knows he's the No. 2 option behind James. When he was part of the Big Three, he often forced bad shots because he figured, "I finally got the ball, I better shoot it." Now, he knows the ball will find him.

8. Love also has a better comfort level with James. This is their fourth season together. Irving bolted, not wanting to play with James. Love has appreciated what has happened to his career in Cleveland.

9. Love went from playing six seasons in Minnesota without making the playoffs to coming to Cleveland and playing on a Finals team in each of the last three seasons. He knows why ... it's playing on the same team as LeBron James.

10. With Irving gone, James knows he needs Love more than ever before. I believe James also appreciates how Love has worked to figure out how he fits into the team, from year-to-year.

11. Another factor is a long friendship with Isaiah Thomas. They played on the same summer team in sixth grade. They also played some AAU ball together in high school. They have chemistry as people.

12. It will be interesting to watch what happens when Thomas is healthy and how it impacts Love. I think they can be great in the pick-and-roll.