SportsLeBron Jamesnba finalskevin love

Kevin Love Hugged LeBron James After The Finals Out Of Pure FOMO

"I didn’t want to be the guy who was searching for someone to hug."
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By 

Sports Department Intern, The Huffington Post

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LeBron James and Kevin Love embrace after winning Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Ezra Shaw via Getty Images

The image might go down as one of the most memorable of the 2016 NBA Finals: Kevin Love embracing LeBron James immediately after the Cleveland Cavaliers, down 3-1, came back to defeat the Golden State Warriors in seven games -- tears in James' eyes. 

The moment appeared organic and spontaneous at the time -- Love seemingly finding LeBron by accident. But during an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" Monday night, Love explained that he planned to find his way to LeBron first before the final buzzer even sounded. 

"I didn’t want to be the guy who was searching for someone to hug," Love told Colbert. "So I tried to find the person that everyone was most likely to hug."

After Stephen Curry missed a 3-point attempt with just over three seconds left on the clock, the Cleveland Cavaliers were clearly going to win the NBA Finals. It was at that moment that Love began to plan his celebration. 

Obviously, Ohio native LeBron James happened to be the person everyone wanted to hug. So Love made sure he got there first. Love's thinking served him well, too, as cameras and the rest of their teammates circled around them. "It's something I'll always remember," he added. 

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post incorrectly said LeBron James is a Cleveland native. He was born in Akron, Ohio. 

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Before You Go

Epic Shots From The 2016 NBA Finals
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter of Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter of Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors drives with the ball on Matthew Dellavedova #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) (credit:Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for the layup against the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 NBA Finals Game Two on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Jesse D. Garrabrant via Getty Images)
(05 of27)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
(06 of27)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Carlos Santana and his wife Cindy Blackman perform the national anthem prior to Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
(07 of27)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
(08 of27)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers kneels on the floor in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter of Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball during the game against Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Garrett Ellwood via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors stand on the court in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter of Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter of Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors throws up a shot against Tristan Thompson #13 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Festus Ezeli #31 of the Golden State Warriors goes for the dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Garrett Ellwood via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: A view of the Finals logo prior to the game of the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors during game two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Golden State Warriors dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives through Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) (credit:Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Andre Iguoadala #9 of the Golden State Warriors stretches against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives with the ball against Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: The opening tip off in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 5, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket against Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 5, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images)
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