Game #99-Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Lakers

Quicken Loans Arena

12/14/2017

Another work trip, another game. This time instead of driving to and from Cleveland I decided to buy a plane ticket so I could go directly back to San Diego. Also, it’s the middle of winter and I never know what the weather is going to be like. In fact, areas in Ohio got over 6 inches of snow and the last thing I want to do is get stuck in the middle of no where. So after a long 3.5 hour trip (driving on a good day takes about 5) I landed in chilly Cleveland. I love walking off the plane in shorts and flip flops this time of year. Everyone looks at me like I am nuts. They are in huge parkas, boots, gloves, etc. but the Midwest and northeast has a huge problem, they over compensate for the cold weather. Cars, office buildings, hotel rooms, even the basketball arena last night were way too hot. So the clothes I wear are actually more suitable. I hit up my hotel to change, grab some food, and then head to the game. I got an amazing upgrade this time to one of the corner suites, the room was huge, mostly useless to me for one night, but I’ll take it. 

On the way to the game because I was right at the city center I stopped by the main square to check out the holiday lights, Christmas tree, outdoor ice rink, and the Hanukkah parade before trekking over to the arena. 

Quicken Loans is fairly new, but as always I was expecting so much more for the fans. The Cavs won the cities first championship in 52 years and the only sign that they did this is a banner on the outside of the building. No team history, no glass cases with player memorabilia, just some life size pictures and the fairly standard basketball with a players hand size and shoe size on the ground. One day I hope these building designers cater more to the real fans.  

I came to the Cavs game because the Lakers happened to be in town. They are still horrible this year, but at least are not the laughing stock of the league as in the past two years. They have some good young talent as well lead by Brandon Ingram and I guess the second pick in last years draft Lonzo Ball (he shows flashes of skill, but his shot is UGLY!). Also, it doesn’t hurt to watch the star studded Cabs team. Even with Derrick Rose and Isiah Thomas out with injuries, they still have Kevin Love, JR Smith, and the best player in the world Lebron James. 

The first half the Lakers were player pretty well. The young legs pushed the ball, fought for rebounds, and hustled to loose balls giving them the lead. But early and often they were shooting and missing soooo many 3’s where as the Cavs had sure shot Kyle Corver draining from downtown over and over. In the second Cleveland started to take over, James was simply too strong with his triple double (tied Larry Bird for 6th all time), Jose Calderon hit 5 three’s, and Love added 28 to seal their 16th win in 17 games with a  score of 121-112. 

Funny part of today’s game...Brook Lopez. Not only did he get rejected by the rim on an easy ally-oop (easy for a dude that’s 7 feet tall), but he air balled two free throw shots in a row!  A professional basketball player, who is in his 10 year in the NBA, can’t shoot a ball from more than 5 feet from the rim. Amazing...

Well that was game 99!  Wonder what 100 will be.