CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Many of the NBA’s best and brightest stars are headed to Chicago this weekend for the NBA All-Star Game. Kevin Love will be right there with them.

Love didn’t get selected. He’s not Team Giannis. Nor is he Team LeBron. Love hasn’t made the annual showcase since 2018 -- the season before James left Cleveland and altered Love’s basketball future. He’s not participating in any events that precede the actual game on Sunday evening either. His days of competing in -- and winning -- 3-Point Shootouts are over. While Love has grown close with teammate Collin Sexton over the last few years, Love isn’t going to frigid Chicago to watch the Rising Stars Game.

This weekend, Love is Team Obama. As in former President Barack Obama, the one person capable of getting Love to alter his vacation plans.

“If Obama calls, and he asks for you, you say yes,” Love told cleveland.com. “It’s that simple. Cancel everything. Make new plans.”

The call didn’t specifically come from Obama -- although Love and the former president have known each other since the 2012 Olympics. About a week ago, a member of the Obama Foundation reached out to Love’s team and invited him to participate in a panel discussion about a number of different topics on Saturday in Chicago.

“They could have picked anybody. I immediately said yes and knew that it was going to be incredibly powerful,” Love said. “Just for what he symbolizes and what he means, he just elevates any room, any situation. He’s a symbol of hope and people want to be on the winning side of history. I’m just trying to further that. Just any small step that I can as far as what I’m doing.”

So why, of all the NBA players, did the Obama Foundation tab Love? Did he ever ponder that question? Did he ask Shannon McGauley, his manager, for an explanation?

“Just being self-assured about it I feel like I know why. Because I think the recognition of what I’m doing outside of basketball,” Love said. “I’m in a unique position and unique space to, I believe, make a major impact in the world of mental health. Have a lot to say about where we are in the league, but also on leadership because I feel like I’ve been around some of the best, learned from some of the best and I think away from the court my second act could be extremely important.”

Love, 31, is in his 12th NBA season. When his basketball career ends, he’s headed right to the Hall of Fame. A five-time NBA All-Star, one-time champion and revolutionary power forward, Love’s career numbers make him one of the best at his position during this era. Toss in what he accomplished in college and for Team USA and Love becomes a no-brainer selection.

23 Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love

And yet, Love’s greatest impact could come off the floor. He’s already found his post-career passion. He started setting up the next phase of his life after basketball years ago. He wants to use his massive platform to help as many people as possible. Love, who first acknowledged his own battles with mental health in an essay for the Players’ Tribune on March 6, 2018, has become a voice of that initiative. He’s determined to eliminate the stigma around depression and anxiety.

About a year and a half ago, Love started the Kevin Love Fund, intended to inspire people to live their healthiest lives while providing the tools to achieve physical and emotional well-being.

“For what I’m trying to accomplish with my fund, and in that space, I think President Obama can be powerful in helping with that,” Love said.

Based on what Love knows, Saturday’s panel consists of four people: Love, Obama, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“It’s just us three and President Obama,” Love said. “That’s special, super special. A chance to talk with him about many topics, but also just continuing to pay it forward in the mental health space.”

The other details are sparse. Love either doesn’t know or won’t reveal where the discussion will be held in Chicago. He joked Obama’s team might even have his phone bugged. Love doesn’t know who is going to be in the crowd. He’s guessing there will be 150-200 people. Nor does he know for certain what the central topic will be. Love’s sense is the four of them will bounce around, offering different viewpoints on many matters.

Chicago. The state of the NBA. Business. Leadership. Global impact. Mental health. Branding. Moving the country forward.

“It’s supposed to be pretty relaxed,” Love said. “I think it’s just various topics. Being there at All-Star with them hosting it, with him, in Illinois, and just to be a part of that, it’s huge to be there. Both of those guys -- Chris and Giannis -- are actually in the game Sunday and I’m not. So, the fact that they asked me is humbling and very cool. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Love’s first interaction with the former president came in 2012. They had another when his ex-girlfriend held a fundraiser at her house in Los Angeles. Love also took part in a sexual assault seminar with Vice President Joe Biden that Obama attended a number of years ago as well. But his favorite moment alongside Obama, the final one, came in 2016 -- at the Cavaliers’ championship celebration. The plan was for James to present Obama with his personalized jersey. James had done it twice before, was the leader of the team and most recognizable player in the world. Only LeBron asked Love, who was standing next to LeBron because the order was based on height, if Love wanted to do it instead.

That day, Love became the last NBA player to present Obama with a championship jersey.

“It was like the greatest photo op in the world,” Love said. “It was unbelievable.”

Love has also spent time around Michelle Obama on three occasions. He took a photo with her during that White House visit and has read all of her books. That’s one of the many reasons Love is so excited about this weekend.

“All of what he and Michelle represent, it’s all synergistic,” Love said. “That’s how you feel. You look at him and you are inspired. He’s more than a president.”

Love and his girlfriend, Kate Bock, had been looking forward to the All-Star break. Their trip to St. Barts, the latest stop on a world tour that began this past summer, had been booked weeks ago. It was supposed to be a time for relaxation, sunshine and drinks by the water -- exactly what Love needed, especially in the midst of a disheartening season. Because of that, there will be an abbreviated getaway to Miami, after the Chicago panel discussion. Still, it was supposed to be a lengthier escape, a way to refocus and come back invigorated for the final 28 games of 2019-20 -- and perhaps his Cleveland career.

He didn’t want to be around the game. He wanted far away from snowy Chicago. Instead, that’s exactly where he’s headed first. And he couldn’t be more elated.

Because, as Love said, when Barack Obama calls, saying no isn’t an option.

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