Links to the Present: “New Year, even better outcome?” Edition

A lot has happened since I last posted. While the holidays kept many (like myself) busy, the Cavs — as well as other Ohio-based teams — have been on a rollercoaster ride of their own.

While the Browns and Ohio State didn’t end 2016 exactly as they’d hoped, the Indians and Cavaliers have many excited about the prospects for a winning 2017.

On Thursday, the Indians’ signing of ex-Blue Jay super slugger, Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year/ $60 million deal was made official. It’s heartbreaking that the Tribe had to lose Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli, but with players coming back from injury and gaining a vet like Encarncion, the Tribe are now favorites (if they weren’t before) to make it back to the World Series.

Noted. #HappEENewYear pic.twitter.com/dm1VqsztTF

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 6, 2017

Goose ‘freaking’ bumps, no?

After finishing 2016 out strong with a win against their biggest rival, the Golden State Warriors, gaining a couple wins against the Celtics and Hornets and celebrating LeBron’s 32nd birthday, the Cavs had to play short-handed against the New Orleans Pelicans on their way to their first win of the new year. The Cavs had even fewer healthy bodies (hamstring, sea bass, ankle, etc.) against the Bulls on Wednesday, leading to a starting lineup of DeAndre Liggins, Jordan McRae, LeBron James, Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye and, not surprisingly, their first loss of the year.

ESPN.com asked James about all of the team’s lack of healthy bodies. James said:

“It’s always next man up for us, we can’t make any excuses. But it slows our process down just a little bit. We’re not able to practice the way we would like to. We’re already a team that don’t practice much, and now we only have eight [healthy] bodies. It’s even harder for us to get better every day on off days. That’s the part for me that kind of eats me alive. I’m all about putting in the work when no one is around and things of that nature, and we can’t do that right now.”

Lacking starters is pretty detrimental in getting a dub, but it was a good chance for the Cavs bench — McRae and rookie Kay Felder, in particular — to get some run with The King. The results, against the Hornets, at least, were pretty promising.

https://youtu.be/z3wj7o4WZlg

Fortunately, Irving and Love returned to the line-up against Brooklyn on Friday night and looking more than fine. Irving scored 32 points and Love had 17 in the 116-108 win. Lets just hope we won’t have to continue on too much longer without anymore injuries.

The Cavs will get a new healthy body soon, after Thursday’s trade that brought Kyle Korver to the Cavs. If you thought Cleveland had an amazing starting lineup now, oh boy, just wait till you see how many points they’ll be racking up now.

In other links…

•LeBron was named the Associated Press’ player of the year for 2016. James reached his goal and gave the city of Cleveland a great season and the championship we’ve all been waiting for. So far during the 2016-17 season, he has continued to be a team leader, staying healthy and stepping up when his players need him.

•LeBron had a great 2016… but so did Kyrie Irving. As one of the best offensive players in the league, currently, I can’t agree more with Nathan Beighle of FoxSports as to why Kyrie should potentially be MVP.

First, Kyrie has the “clutch” gene.

Anyone need a reminder of what happened on Christmas Day?

This looks pretty familiar to that one shot during the finals against that one team who blew the 3-1 lead, right? Never gets old…

Irving is a true offensive force. The point guard averages a 23.9 point game and somehow always seems to make the ball go in the hole no matter what he’s doing. Add to that the fact that he is getting his teammates involved better than ever before and it starts to look like Irving has the potential to reach even greater heights.

•Dwyane Wade calls 2016 Finals LeBron James’s defining moment, and I couldn’t agree more.

•NBA 2K17 Videos: Kyrie Irving’s Christmas Day game-winner vs. Warriors recreated and it looks just as good!

•#KyrieChallenge video compilation. This is pretty amusing if you ask me.