Links To The Present: January 3, 2011

“For now, the Cavaliers must find triumph in the little things. Like Christian Eyenga’s first NBA game, as the rookie was called up from the NBADL just before tip-off. Ramon Sessions had a third consecutive strong outing while the guard rotation has thinned because of injury. Newcomer Alonzo Gee and rookie Manny Harris provided a youthful lift the Cavaliers have been searching for all season.” [Jodie Valade]

“Jamison has been saying for weeks how it’s the short stretches that ruin any chance the Cavs have at a victory. It was a seven-minute stretch Saturday night at Chicago, when the Cavs failed to score a basket from the floor. It was the first seven minutes on Sunday, when the Mavericks built leads of 8-0, 12-2 and 17-9 before the Cavs could even gain their footing” [Jason Lloyd]

“The Cavaliers never got blown out, but they also never really had a chance to win.” [Rick Noland]

“All things considered, the Cavaliers, despite losing back-to-back contests to the Bulls and Mavericks, are showing the occasional flash of brilliance that can give one some hope.  A month ago, the Cavs were losing games by 20-plus points.  Though losing 17 of their last 18 games, the last batch of losses were in games where the Cavs were either winning at one point or were at least within spitting distance.” [Scott Sargent]

“I thought he did pretty well. To be honest with you, I thought, Christian, Manny and Alonzo, our young guys, played with a lot of energy. They made some mistakes but it wasn’t because of lack of effort. We’ll just keep working with those guys every day, get them a little bit more comfortable with what we’re doing on both ends of the floor and I think all three of those guys are going to be pretty good. We just have to get the same type of energy from everybody else. That’s the biggest thing. I thought all three of those guys did pretty well tonight.” [Byron Scott on Christian Eyenga]

“Eyenga, the Cavaliers’ 2009 first-round draft pick, spent 15 games with the BayHawks. Specifically, Eyenga was sent to work on his defense. Every time the 6-foot-5 swingman talked to coach Byron Scott while he was in Erie, he had a standard comment: ‘I’m just concentrating on my defense.'” [Jodie Valade]

On The Twitters

“Time for Rehab to get this leg right.. Sittin on the sidelines I feel like the bad kid stuck in class while everybody else @ recess.. SMH” [Boobie Gibson]

“10 of the 14 Cavs’ games left this month are on the road. Could be looking at a losing streak not seen since the 02-03 season.” [realcavsfans]

“Ramon Sessions is the first #Cavs player in franchise history to tally at least 19 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists off the bench.” [Scott Sargent]