Links To the Present: “New Players, New Home” Edition

2016-12-16 Off By Briana Contreras

Head Coach Tyronn Lue’s decision to keep the his Big Three in Cleveland while the team traveled to Memphis was a pretty bold move. Giving Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love the night off to rest may have been a bit detrimental to the final score and disappointing to fans, but it did put the Cavs’ bench to the test.

I’m pretty sure we all knew that Memphis was going to give the short-handed Cleveland team a challenge, but it’s about time we see more of what Mike Dunleavy Jr., Kay Felder and Deandre Liggins can do with a floor of their own. The three ended up having solid games, but Dunleavy, with a season-high 11 points and six rebounds needed the run more than anyone.

Felder definitely took charge in the second half, scoring 14 points and four assists overall, and closing that big lead Memphis had just a bit. If only he would have been given a chance Earlier, we could’ve possibly seen a different outcome.

People have to also remember the team was dealing with an odd wrinkle in their schedule— playing the same team in the season, one day after the other. Were these bad scheduling issues made by the NBA?

A disappointed fan from last night's game. Do you agree with the Cavs resting healthy players? pic.twitter.com/cQ4s7Kz7Py

— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) December 15, 2016

I feel your pain dude, I really do, but there are plenty of games left this season.

The Big Three will be back tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in The Q against the Lakers, but much good should be coming towards the Cavs’ bench with Dunleavy and Felder until then throughout the rest of the season.

And in other links..

If you haven’t hear yet, Quicken Loans Arena — the downtown home of The Cavaliers — will be getting a $140 million dollar makeover by 2017. The renovation of the 22-year-old arena will provide a whole new look for the City of Cleveland and will welcome all guests as well bigger acts.

Once the project is complete the Cavs are hoping to host the NBA All-Star Game for the first time since 1997.

“The NBA is very supportive of the Quicken Loans Arena transformation project which we believe will greatly benefit the entire Cleveland community,” league deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said. “We understand the impact this project will have in continuing the great momentum we have all seen recently in the city.”

Here’s a sneak peak from cleveland.com.

See renderings of the proposed, stunning Quicken Loans Arena renovations. pic.twitter.com/VffnMIXQIg

— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) December 13, 2016