DESIGN
Joni
Assistant
Graphic
ALL THE RIGHT SIGNS
THE CAVALIERS ARE BUILDING ON A 2023-24 SEASON THAT SAW PLENTY TO BE EXCITED ABOUT IN 2025.
BY MICHAEL BRADLEY
They stood in front of the Eiffel Tower on a chilly January day, smiling and probably a little shocked that their basketball journey had taken them to Paris. Four months later, when their season had ended in an Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Boston, the Cavaliers were upset but proud.
The Cavs had advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in six years. It wasn’t the ideal conclusion, but it ended a 2023-24 season that included winning streaks, highlight-reel performances, a show-stopping comeback, playoff heroics and the trip to France.
“It’s hard to say this season wasn’t a success,” President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman said.
Playoff exits are never easy for anyone to accept, but time provides the opportunity for perspective. And when 2023-24 is evaluated, it’s hard to say the Cavs didn’t accomplish a lot.
“You can’t make it to a conference semifinal and say, ‘This doesn’t work,’” Altman said.
A lot went right. From mid-December until the All-Star Break, the Cavs won 22 games, best in the League. They staged a huge comeback to overcome Orlando in the seventh game of the teams’ first-round playoff series. Guard Donovan Mitchell was an All-Star for the fifth season in a row. Cleveland had winning streaks of eight and nine games.
There was a lot to celebrate.
The Cavs needed some time to gather momentum once the 2023-24 season began. By the end of December, they were 18-14 and had a half-game lead over Indiana in the Central Division, but they were struggling with consistency. An early highlight was a four-game winning streak in November that included a victory over Denver and an overtime triumph at Philadelphia keyed by a 32-point eruption by guard Darius Garland and accomplished without a sidelined Mitchell.
Cleveland went 3-1 in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament but missed out on advancing due to point differential. But once the calendar turned, the Cavs started to tear through the League. From Jan. 3 through Feb. 10, they were practically infallible, winning all but one of the 18 games during the stretch. Included was the triumph over Brooklyn in Paris. Mitchell led the way with 45 points, which at the time was his 16th 40-point game with the Cavs. He added 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals to join LeBron James as the only Cavs with at least 45 points, 10 boards, five dimes and three swipes.
“We did some really good things in the second half,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “[Mitchell’s] ability to just put that ball in the hole is a difference maker.”
The year began quietly, with a loss at Toronto, but the Cavs won eight straight after that, including a 135-95 rout of Milwaukee. After falling to the Bucks, Cleveland captured its next nine straight, five of which came on the road. By the time the League took a breath for the All-Star Break, the Cavaliers had captured 18 of 20 games and were 38-23 and fourth in the Eastern Conference.
After the Cavs won their ninth straight, guard Max Strus summarized the team’s mentality during the great run.
“We want to win every game,” Strus said. “We want to win every game by as much as we can. That’s what I love about this team, there’s a lot of fight and there’s a lot of hunger. Guys want to be great, and it’s fun.”
Not long after the break, Strus provided one of the season’s biggest highlights when he hit a 59-footer at the buzzer to give Cleveland a 121-119 win over the Mavericks. After Dallas forward P.J. Washington gave the Mavs a 119-118 lead with 2.9 seconds left, Strus took a pass from Evan Mobley and let it fly from 10 feet short of midcourt. The ball swished through, sending the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd into a frenzy and leaving Dallas’ players dumbfounded.
It was Strus’ fifth 3-pointer in the game’s last four minutes, and it completed a comeback from 10 down. Strus finished with 21 points – all on triples.
“The last five [3-pointers] felt pretty good,” he said. “I felt a rhythm, and it’s fun when you do that. Every time I shot it, I felt like it was going in, and it was. Same with the last one.”
Strus was mobbed by his teammates, including Mitchell, who had a team-high 31 points. According to Basketball Reference, it was the
second-longest game-winner since the NBA instituted the 3-point line in 1979.
“Man, just to see it go through, especially what he did for us in the fourth, it had to be him, too,” Mitchell said. “You dream of a shot like that. So for him to get that after what he did for us, the whole fourth quarter, man."
The Cavs had another amazing, historic win March 5, when they overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit – the largest final-period rally in franchise history – to defeat the Celtics, 105-104. With Mitchell sidelined by a knee injury, forward Dean Wade stepped forward and outscored Boston, 20-17 in the last quarter. Wade hit five 3-pointers.
“The rim looked like a swimming pool,” Wade said.
His putback dunk with 19.1 seconds remaining provided the final margin of victory.
The win wasn’t official until the Cavaliers won a replay review after the final buzzer. A foul was called on Garland as Boston’s Jayson Tatum shot, but the referees ruled that Tatum had initiated contact with his leg and waved the foul off.
“I thought it was great defense,” said Garland, who wasn't positive the call would go his way. “I knew the leg kick was kind of in play. My shin still kind of hurts from it, so I’m glad that it was overturned.”
The win was made more special because Cleveland natives Jason and Travis Kelce were in the crowd since the Cavs gave fans bobbleheads honoring them. Travis spent much of the fourth quarter revving up the crowd from his courtside seat.
“Honestly, when the Kelce brothers started hyping up the crowd, we knew we could do it,” said Cavs center Jarrett Allen, who finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
It’s hard to say this season wasn’t a success…You can’t make it to a conference semifinal and say, ‘This doesn’t work,’
— Koby Altman
TALENT MEETS TECHNOLOGY
Although the Cavs did not finish the season with similar excitement or the type of run they went on in early 2024, they earned the fourth seed in the playoffs and were only two games out of second. That led to homecourt advantage in their first-round series against Orlando. And it’s a good thing, too, since the Cavaliers needed all seven games – including the finale at home – to advance.
Things looked good early on. Cleveland took the first two games, riding strong performances by Mitchell and some excellent defense that held the Magic below 40 percent field goal success in each contest and prevented them from reaching 90 points both times. But Orlando held serve in the next two games in Florida, and after the teams split the next two contests, it was back to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the finale.
And what a finale it was. Orlando led by as many as 18 in the first half, and it appeared as if the Cavs would be dumped in the first round for the second year in a row. But Mitchell took charge and led the largest Game 7 comeback since the League started charting games’ playby-play in the 1997-98 season. After scoring 50 in the Game 6 loss, Mitchell put up a gamehigh 39 in a 106-94 Cleveland triumph.
“This is why I’m here,” he said afterward. “It’s my job.”
As the final seconds ticked off, the frenzied FieldHouse faithful waved towels and chanted, “We want Boston!” The Cavs would indeed meet the Celtics – who had the best regular-season record in the NBA – in the Eastern Semifinals.
“I don’t mean this disrespectful, but it doesn’t really mean much,” Mitchell said about the first-round series triumph. “We didn't come in just to win the first round. We accomplished one goal, now we have to do it again. That’s the mindset.”
By the time the Cavs left Boston after the first two games of the season, it looked like that mindset was pretty strong. Even though the Celtics captured the first game, Cleveland rebounded in a big way two nights later with a resounding, 116-94 triumph led by Mitchell’s 29 points and eight assists.
“We expected them to play better, and they did,” Celtics center Al Horford said. “They responded, and we didn’t.”
The win sent the Cavaliers home with optimism, but they couldn’t build on the second-game success. Tatum scored 33 points in Games 3 and 4, and the shorthanded Cavs, who were missing Allen for the entire series and Mitchell from Game 4 on, fell into a 3-to-1 hole. They fought valiantly in the fifth game but could not prevail, and their season ended with a 113-98 defeat.
It was a disappointing way for the season to end, but there was no denying 2023-24 contained plenty of excitement and highlights, as well as a taste of the good times that are ahead for the Cavs and their fans.
Virus,malwareandspywareprotection
SecureVPN
PCCloudBackup
ParentalControl
IdentityTheftProtection
SocialSecurityandCreditAlerts*
2024–25 Schedule
Cleveland Cavaliers
OF THE YEAR
ALL THINGS SPORTS EVERY DAY
DIRECTV is the ultimate destination to stream pro basketball, NHL games, and the sports you love. Easily search and access your favorites, season after season, all from one place.
MAX STRUS 1
HEIGHT
6’5”
WEIGHT 215 LB COLLEGE DEPAUL
D.O.B MARCH 28, 1996
ACQ. TRD FROM MIA 7/6/23
MAX STRUS
Not just good... triple-double good.
Enjoy the full flavor of game day, with 70% less fat*
*than USDA data for pork and beef smoked sausage.
TY JEROME 2
HEIGHT 6’5”
195 LB COLLEGE VIRGINIA D.O.B JULY 8, 1997
ACQ. SIGNED ON 7/6/23
TY JEROME
Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of the Falls 4100 STATE RD CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH 44223 (330) 929-3066
Sarchione Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 315 MILL ST S DALTON, OH 44618 (330) 828-2263
DEACON'S CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 835 SOM CENTER RD MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OH 44143 (440) 229-3654
ED TOMKO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE 33725 WALKER RD Avon Lake, OH 44012 (440) 933-3500
BRUNSWICK AUTO MART 3031 CENTER RD BRUNSWICK, OH 44212 (330) 273-3300
FRED MARTIN SUPERSTORE 3195 BARBER RD Norton, OH 44203 (330) 753-4444
HAASZ AUTOMALL 4886 STATE ROUTE 59 RAVENNA, OH 44266 (330) 235-8330
Montrose Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 6119 LAKE ST KINGSVILLE, OH 44048 (440) 224-2075
NORTH OLMSTED CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 27500 LORAIN RD NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070 (888) 415-4189
WOOSTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 2626 CLEVELAND RD WOOSTER, OH 44691 (330) 345-8700
MEDINA AUTO MALL 3205 MEDINA RD MEDINA, OH 44256 (330) 521-2939
KEN GANLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 8505 MENTOR AVE MENTOR, OH 44060 (440) 354-4368
JUNCTION AUTO SALES 12423 MAYFIELD RD CHARDON, OH 44024 (440) 286-6161
SPITZER MOTOR CITY INC 13001 BROOKPARK RD CLEVELAND, OH 44142 (216) 356-5767
Klaben Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 1106 W MAIN ST KENT, OH 44240 (330) 673-3139
CLASSIC CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 6300 NORTH RIDGE RD MADISON, OH 44057 (440) 428-1141
At CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY, we have an MBA , GRADUATE DEGREE program or CONTINUING EDUCATION class to fit your schedule, lifestyle and experience level.
Our dedicated GRADUATE BUSINESS ADVISORS will work with you to choose the program that best helps YOU achieve your career aspirations.
MONTE AHUJA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
CARIS LEVERT 3
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
6’6”
205 LB
COLLEGE MICHIGAN
D.O.B AUGUST 25, 1994
ACQ. TRD FROM IND 2/7/22
CARIS LEVERT
Mental Health Matters
1-in-5 people in the U.S. have a mental health condition, but the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and related discussions often prevent people from seeking the treatment they desperately need. Treatment is available, affordable, and necessary.
The Charak Center for Health and Wellness (CCHW) is a full-service mental health clinic that offers a multifaceted approach to recovery from both mental health conditions and addictions. Our treatment processes combine cutting edge pharmacotherapy, the latest non-pharmacological interventions, as well as validated methods of individual, couples, and group counseling.
The Charak Center for Health and Wellness also offers research backed non-pharmacological treatment options, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS), and Spravato.
The Charak Center for Health and Wellness also offers opportunities for those suffering from mental health and addiction issues to participate in clinical research. This research not only advances treatment options for this population but also has the potential to bring about relief to the participants.
Whether you are dealing with relationship issues, substance use, life altering circumstances, or difficulty adjusting to changes at school or work, we will develop an individualized plan of treatment for your mental health and wellness. Learn how you can find
RUNNING IT BACK
BY DARRYL HOWERTON
“We got to a conference semis, but we’re not content with that. There’s a lot of runway left.”
- Koby Altman “
THE 2024-25 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
ARE VERY MUCH THE SAME AS LAST YEAR’S EDITION — AND THAT’S A VERY GOOD THING.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown all the signs of progression that you want to see in a championship contender. So it is only right that all sides–from players to coaches to management–are all-in as we enter this 2024-25 NBA season.
The Cavs have gone from not making the postseason in 2022 to qualifying for the 2023 NBA Playoffs to advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a first-round series victory over the Orlando Magic before losing to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in the second round.
So it is only right that Cavaliers management locked up perennial All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and 2022 All-Star center Jarrett Allen to big-money deals that keep them in wine-and-gold uniforms at least through the 2026-27 season, linking them long-term with teammates and 2022 All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who is signed through 2027-28, and power forward-center prodigy Evan Mobley, signed through 2029-30.
“I’m glad I got this deal done, Cleveland,” Mitchell posted on his Instagram in July once his contract was signed. “Now I can focus. You know what I’m saying? Let’s get to it.”
If you thought the 28-year-old, five-time All-Star was relieved, he could not have been nearly as jubilant as Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman who was able to keep his young core four together for at least another three to four seasons if desired.
After all, as Altman said at his end-of-season press conference, “We got to a conference semis, but we’re not content with that. There’s a lot of runway left. There’s a lot of learning left to come with these four.”
That’s what all sides are banking on after seeing the youngsters grow closer in their years together as Cavaliers teammates (Mitchell, two seasons as a Cav; Mobley, three; Allen, four; Garland, five).
It is this type of teammate chemistry that appealed to player-development teacher Kenny Atkinson, enough for him to leave his role as a Golden State Warriors assistant the past three seasons–where he won an NBA championship ring in 2022–to sign a five-year contract to become the new Cavs head coach this summer.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” said Atkinson at his Cavaliers introductory press conference. “I think we all know about the talent that is on this team and the culture they’ve built, which really intrigued me about this job from the beginning.”
With Mitchell, Atkinson now has his Dwyane Wade-type combo guard who can power post any wing while also drilling jumpers from outside to the tune of 28 points per game at a .606 true shooting percentage in his two previous seasons in Cleveland.
“Donovan’s already a top 15 player, but can we get him to top five?” said Atkinson. “Player development gets this label as good for only young players, but it’s good for veterans, too. That’s what coaching basically is–player development. That’s what the greatest coaches in this league have done throughout history.”
Likewise, Mitchell, whose work ethic already is top notch, is also looking forward to the change and challenge.
Mitchell told the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, “I always trust in my work. I trust in what I do. I always tell people, ‘That’s the separator.’ If you don’t work, you have nothing to trust, nothing to fall back on.
“I trust the reps. Everything I’m doing in July, August and September, pays off. So by the time we get to January, February and all the playoffs, it just reflects back to my summer of work. The only difference is everybody is watching at playoff time.”
With Allen, Atkinson not only has a 26-year-old rim protector extraordinaire, but also his rim runner on offense who finishes with pull-ups in the paint just as skillfully as he closes with dunks at the rim.
“I think back to my Jarrett Allen experience in Brooklyn,” said Atkinson, who coached the young center for three seasons. “I would coach him hard, but I also took him into the arena and said, ‘Your number is going up on these rafters.’ I really believed that. ‘You are that talented, Jarrett.’ You really have to believe in your players, but you also have to coach them and be honest with them.”
CLEVELAND’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE CENTER
Anthony Vince Nail Salon
Arhaus Furniture
Bar Louie
Barre3
Black Box Fix
Brio Italian Grille
The Capital Grille
The Cheesecake Factory
Chico’s
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Contessa Gallery
Crate & Barrel
Deka Lash
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dippy Whip Custard
Drybar
Esporta Fitness
Ethan Allen
Giant Eagle
Hyatt Place Hotel
J.Crew Factory
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Ladies & Gentlemen
Salon & Spa
Lilly Pulitzer
L.L. Bean
Loft
Lovesac
The Melting Pot
Milan Laser Hair Removal
Nordstrom Rack
Pearle Vision
PodPopuli
Sola Salon Studios
Soma
Starbucks
Sweet & Sassy*
Talbots
Tempur-Pedic
White House / Black Market
Wild Mango
*coming soon
Allen, who averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds with an incredible .664 true shooting percentage in Cleveland last season, told J.J. Redick on his Old Man and The Three podcast, “I genuinely believed in Brooklyn that we were all bought in into Kenny and his system and just trying to make things work with what we had. Everybody was buying in, having fun and willing to get better for the team we had.”
In Garland, Atkinson has a 24-year-old blossoming floor general who played at All-Star level as a 22-year-old prospect before Mitchell joined the team.
“I’m a huge fan of Darius,” said Atkinson. “I can’t tell you how many times he destroyed us when we were in Brooklyn. He’s obviously a great shooter, but he is also an underrated passer.
“When you have multiple ballhandlers like Darius and Donovan, we’re going to work on tweaking things so we maximize these guys. I just love both those guys together quite honestly.”
Garland, who averaged 18 points and 7 assists while missing 25 games last season as Cav, is a big believer in Cleveland’s trey-shooting trio–Mitchell, Max Strus and himself–who are all career 37-plus threepoint percentage marksmen, not to mention a bench that is equally efficient from long distance.
“That’s where basketball is going,” said Garland at the end of the CavsCeltics playoff series in May. “We have got to shoot more 3s. That just opens everything else up for us–driving lanes and the lobs you’ve been seeing.”
With Mobley, Atkinson also has a 23-year-old versatile big–already an All-Defense honoree–who can both pair with Allen as twin towers or serve as his own elite rim protector when Allen rests.
“Evan is so multitalented,” said Atkinson. “A big part of our discussion was, ‘How do we get him to the next level?’ First of all, Evan is 23 years old so he’s just naturally going to grow with the talent he has. But I do think schematically, we can get the ball in his hands more often quite honestly. When you have a guy that versatile, it can be him in transition bringing the ball up. It can be him handling in a five-out situation more. It can be him handling in a pick-and-roll. I think there are creative things we can do to help him.”
Mobley, who averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds on a stellar .626 true shooting percentage while missing 32 games last season, continued to evolve in his third NBA campaign, telling Bally Sports Ohio & Great Lakes, “I’m more aggressive offensively. And defensively, I’m pretty much the same, but now I read and see things at a heightened level. I feel like I really understand what is going on throughout the game in any situation. That’s really the big difference.”
Ultimately, Cleveland has a core four that is unlike any other in the NBA in that they not only are in the prime of their careers–ranging in age from 23 to 28 years old–but they are also signed to contracts that will keep them in Cleveland for the majority of this 2020s decade.
“We got four All-Stars,” said Atkinson, “Evan will be an All-Star. I think we all know that. So we got four All-Stars here. We gotta make it work. That’s why I’m here.”
“I just think if I am singularly focused on this team, the results are going to come.”
- Kenny Atkinson “
That said, Atkinson by no means wants to downplay the key roles of the other 11 players on his roster.
In fact, he points out, he may relish bench play as much as anyone, pointing out his underdog Nets 2019 playoff team had no players logging more than 30 minutes per game.
It is a situation that lends itself perfectly to his Cavs role players now, which return six three-point marksmen who all logged 1000-plus minutes last season, with wing Max Strus starting, sixth- and seventh-men LeVert and Isaac Okoro, alongside forwards Georges Niang, Dean Wade and sharpshooting guard Sam Merrill.
“There are not many teams with the depth that we have,” said Atkinson. “I’ve always been a big believer that you have to develop your bench. Now am I sitting here saying Donovan Mitchell is going to play 25 minutes a game? No. But we are going to use our bench. I think that helps you in the locker room. I think it helps guys get better because they have opportunity. And I think it helps you in the playoffs. We’re going to embrace that bench mentality.”
To compound that interest even further, Altman used his 20th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to add 6-6 shooting guard Jaylon Tyson to the roster. The late first-round pick has Atkinson excited, especially after talking with Cal head coach Mark Madsen, who also was a nine-year NBA veteran with two championship rings.
“Mark was pretty over-the-top on his feelings for Jaylon’s potential,” Atkinson said of his 21-year-old rookie. “Mark told me Jaylon was going to be in the rotation this year. I said, ‘Mark, the NBA is pretty good.’ But who knows? That’s how much he liked him so I thought that was pretty cool.”
With all 10 of the Cavs’ rotation players returning this season, Cleveland’s baseline for 2024-25 likely starts with 50-plus win expectations.
After all, the Cavaliers won 99 games combined the last two seasons, while boasting the League’s No. 1 defense in 2022-23 when the Cavs’ core four all played at least 68 games.
“I do anticipate picking up the pace, shooting more 3s, crashing the glass a little more,” said Atkinson. “I think that’s something we can do better. But again, we’re going to do whatever tweaks are necessary to get this to the next level tactically.
“That is why I am Cavs-focused right now. It’s always been my process. Sure, I’m aware of the league. Obviously, I watch the league, I watch trends. I just think if I am singularly focused on this team, the results are going to come.”
EVAN MOBLEY
18, 2001
ACQ. ‘21 DRAFT, PICK #3
EVAN MOBLEY
SLAM DUNK WITH GREAT TASTING SNACKS
SAM MERRILL
HEIGHT
6’4”
WEIGHT 205 LB
COLLEGE UTAH STATE
D.O.B MAY 15, 1996
ACQ. SIGNED ON 3/3/23
SAM MERRILL
naturally loved
eight hours of moisture in every swipe
LAY LOW, AIM HIGH
FIRST-ROUND PICK JAYLON TYSON COMES TO CLEVELAND DETERMINED TO SILENCE THE DOUBTERS BY STAYING QUIET AND LETTING HIS PLAY DO ALL THE TALKING.
BY JON COOPER
Clevelanders may not love hearing what they can’t do but they certainly are used to it and know how to use it to their advantage.
It gives them a thicker skin and extra motivation to prove critics wrong.
In that regard, Jaylon Tyson is a perfect fit for The Land.
The versatile 6-6, 215-pound wing has heard what he can’t do at every stop he’s ever made, including three colleges over the past three years.
So when it was suggested he couldn’t – or at least shouldn’t –participate in a pre-draft workout with a group of invitees that Cavaliers’ general manager Mike Gansey called “probably our best group of guys we brought in” due to back pain so severe that it limited him in his previous workouts, he, naturally, rebelled and played through it.
“There was no way I would sit out,” said the 22-year-old Plano, Texas, native. “This is a winning organization, so I was going to play. I wanted to show that I’m a winner.”
It suffices to say he did.
“He did everything,” Gansey recalled. “He got every rebound, he was making every play, he was making shots, he was defending. He really stood out. It was, by far, the best workout of any guy we had in here.”
“He gave us some vision on how he’s going to elevate people around him,” added Cavaliers President Koby Altman. “It wasn’t just scoring. It was offensive rebounding, it was drive-and-kicks, it was getting guys open shots. (He) left such a tremendous impression, both character-wise and with his high performance on the court.”
He made such an impression that on draft night, when pick No. 20 came up and Tyson was still available, the Cavaliers didn’t hesitate to make him the franchise’s second Cal player ever selected in the first round (Kevin Johnson was first in 1987) and only its fifth chosen in any round.
“It was pretty much a no-brainer,” said Gansey. “He can play 1, 2 and 3. He’s big. We need more wing size, more shooting, more play-making, guys that can go get a shot because our offense was stagnant at times. He checked a lot of boxes. We just said,
‘Hey, we don’t want to regret trading the pick and getting a bunch of other picks down the road, where we can get this guy at 20 and he’s our guy.’”
Tyson’s size could bolster a talented but rather diminutive lineup featuring the explosive backcourt of 6-3 Donovan Mitchell and 6-1 Darius Garland and “bigs” Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who only measure 6-8 and 6-9. His tenacity should strengthen the Cavaliers on the glass, an Achilles' heel last season, when Cleveland ranked 17th in rebounding (43.3 RPG) and 22nd in offensive rebounding (9.9 ORPG).
Jaylon grabbed scouts’ attention last season in Berkeley. Following stops at Texas and Texas Tech, his third school proved the charm, as he led Cal to a 10-game improvement over 2022-23.
Moved to the point, Tyson went off, recording 19.6 ppg (third in the Pac-12), 6.8 rpg (seventh), 3.5 apg (ninth), shooting 46.5 percent (9th) in 34.4 minutes (seventh) – all career highs. He had 17 20-point games and eight double-doubles, five of those 20-10 games, and was rewarded by being named First-Team All-Pac-12 and a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.
"The one thing we always told teams is that he'll probably be the hardest worker and the most dedicated to basketball in this entire draft,” said his coach, Mark Madsen, a nine-year NBA veteran and two-time NBA Champion with the Lakers, who said he “was inundated with calls” from NBA teams. “His work ethic, his attention to detail, his love for the game, the Cleveland Cavaliers got a steal in Jaylon Tyson."
Madsen wasn’t the only former NBA veteran to speak on Tyson’s behalf. Al Harrington, a 16-year pro also highly recommended Jaylon. That carried significant weight with Altman.
“I grew up idolizing Al Harrington. He was way before his time – this multifaceted power forward that could play point guard,” said Altman. “He’s been in this ecosystem for a long time. So when Al gives the endorsement, I trust Al.”
Tyson credited Harrington with inspiring him to tough out the Cavs' workout.
“I’m not a ‘generational talent,’ but I have a love for the game and the will to win. I want to be part of a winning culture.”
“Obviously, I want to play but I know that takes time. Learning how to be a professional is the biggest thing right now.”
“I called him and said, ‘My back is killing me.’ He said, ‘So WHAT?!? Get ready to run it off,’” Jaylon recounted. “He’s like a big brother. He’s on me 24/7. He’s been through the highs and the lows of the NBA. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Tyson insists that he also learned a lot from his multi-college experience, something that made some wary.
“I don’t look back at it as a negative,” he said. “I had to grow as a man, I had to grow as a human being, I had to grow as a basketball player. I learned a lot at every school. Once I found my place, I got the chance to show who I truly am and I flourished in Cal’s system. I just had to find my place.”
The Cavs had no issue with Jaylon’s school-hopping.
“It’s a different landscape now,” said Altman. “Players have been to multiple schools. I think it’s more the norm now until they find the right fit, find the right coach, find the right role. So I don’t take that as a negative.”
“Obviously, there were different circumstances why he had three schools,” Gansey added. “But he got to Cal and Madsen was a perfect fit for him.”
CLEVELAND BLOCKS!
We’ll soon see how Jaylon fits with new coach Kenny Atkinson.
“Obviously, if he comes in, competes and is able to play, that’s great,” Gansey said. “We have good depth where we can bring him along slowly. But you can play him with any other four guys out there on the floor. Tyson checks so many boxes.”
There is ONE special box he wants to check.
“I want to be an All-Defensive player,” said Jaylon, who compares his game to Philadelphia 76ers agitating forward Caleb Martin and pesky New York Knicks guard Josh Hart – “Versatile wings that do a little bit of everything.” “If I do that you can talk about every box being checked.” (For more on the Cavaliers and the All-Defensive Team, see “Cleveland Blocks!”)
Jaylon can’t wait to start learning the NBA game and checking off those boxes.
“Once my name got called (on draft night), the emotions just went off. I just got the mindset, ‘Okay, it’s time to go to work,” he said. “I’m not a ‘generational talent,’ but I have a love for the game and the will to win. I want to be part of a winning culture. Obviously, I want to play but I know that takes time. Learning how to be a professional is the biggest thing right now.”
Cleveland’s first-round pick Jaylon Tyson has called earning a place on the NBA All-Defensive Team a personal goal. Should he accomplish that goal he would join a selective list of Cavaliers to earn that honor.
Heading into the 2024-25 season, only 11 times have Cavaliers made All-Defensive Team with only seven players accomplishing the feat. Tyson also would make history, as he’d be the first Cavs rookie to do it!
Below is the list of Cleveland’s All-Defensive Teamers.
2022-23
FIRST TEAM
Evan Mobley
2009-10
FIRST TEAM
LeBron James
SECOND TEAM Anderson Varejao
2008-09
FIRST TEAM
LeBron James
1995-96
SECOND TEAM
Bobby Phills 1992-93
SECOND TEAM
Larry Nance 1991-92
SECOND TEAM
Larry Nance 1988-89 FIRST TEAM
Larry Nance 1976-77
SECOND TEAM
Jim Brewer 1975-76
SECOND TEAM
Jim Brewer, Jim Cleamons
CRAIG PORTER JR.
HEIGHT
6’1” WEIGHT 180 LB COLLEGE WICHITA STATE
D.O.B FEBRUARY 26, 2000
ACQ. SIGNED ON 7/3/23
CRAIG PORTER JR.
BUILT FOR MORE
BY DAIJHA JOHNSON
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Bedrock and Cleveland Clinic have begun construction on their new world-class practice facility that will usher in a new era of athletic training, sports medicine and urban development while cementing a visionary sports and medical care partnership.
Imagine a facility where the impossible becomes possible, where athletes can push beyond their limits and redefine what the human body can achieve. The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is that dream made reality.
In the heart of downtown Cleveland, on the Cuyahoga River, this catalytic project is taking shape and promises to redefine the boundaries of sports performance and human potential. The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, a joint venture between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Clinic and Bedrock Real Estate, is set to become a beacon of innovation in the world of sports and medical care.
Spanning over 210,000 square feet, this Populous-designed practice facility is poised to be one of the world’s largest interdisciplinary training centers. The center draws inspiration from the colors and curvature of the Cuyahoga River and the surrounding valley, forging a bridge from Cleveland’s city core to its shoreline. The building’s form, tonality and materials will be informed by the dynamic industrial riverfront site. It will also provide an opportunity to capture and invigorate the hearts, minds and motion of the athletes who will utilize the space.
The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center represents a substantial investment in the long-term sustainability and success
the world’s most forward-thinking and innovative professional sports teams. The Cavaliers players will have access to an unparalleled, cutting-edge facility designed to optimize their athletic performance and overall well-being. This center will feature advanced technology and equipment, best-in-class biomechanical testing systems, hightech training equipment with integrated data analytics, virtual reality and simulation technology for skill development and wearable sensors for real-time performance monitoring. The facility’s innovative approach will set a new standard for athlete care and development through a centralized hub of resources that will empower Cavaliers players to reach their highest potential, extend their careers and maintain peak performance throughout the season.
“The vision and functionality of this state-of-the-art facility will be a generational game changer for the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Koby Altman, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations. “The overall investment in this project speaks to how much the franchise prioritizes the well-being of our players, while also delivering exceptional resources to enhance their skills to an elite level. We have a Championship-caliber culture, and this is another example of that commitment to our players, coaches and support staff to continue elevating the organization into the league’s best.”
of the Cavaliers franchise, reaffirming the team’s position as one of
While serving as the new home for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the center’s scope extends far beyond professional basketball. The facility will serve as a hub where weekend warriors, Olympic hopefuls and the general public alike will have access to the same cuttingedge technology and world-class medical expertise that fuels NBA champions. Backed by Cleveland Clinic’s world-class healthcare providers, the facility will offer comprehensive care and access to expert medical professionals from various specialties, including sports medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, exercise physiology, neurology, nutrition, psychology and genetics. This collaboration cements a historic 25-year extension of the partnership between the Cavaliers and Cleveland Clinic, building on a relationship that began in 1993 and creating one of the longest continuous relationships between a professional sports organization and a medical provider. With the convergence of these two powerhouse organizations, the center will revolutionize sports performance and medicine and strengthen Cleveland’s position as a global destination for elite professional athletes.
“Our partnership strengthens Cleveland’s position as a leader in both healthcare and sports excellence,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic and the holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair.
But the center is more than just a training facility; it is also a catalyst for urban development. As the first vertical development in Bedrock’s $3.5 billion Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Plan, it marks the beginning of a new era for Cleveland’s downtown area. The project will transform underutilized land on the riverfront that has sat dormant for several decades, creating an avenue to help businesses grow, generate job opportunities for residents, drive additional investment into the area and establish a true sense of local pride.
“This project is the first step in creating a more vibrant and growthoriented neighborhood, transforming the look and feel of downtown,”
said Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman and Bedrock Founder. “The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center will transform downtown Cleveland into the go-to global destination for all sports science, performance and wellness, drawing patients and athletes from near and far.”
With its anticipated opening in 2027, the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center stands as a testament to Cleveland’s commitment to innovation and progress in sports, healthcare and urban development. It represents a bold step into the future of sports performance, where cutting-edge technology and medical expertise intersect to push the boundaries of human potential.
The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is not just a building; it is the catalyst to elevating Cleveland to become the epicenter for the future of sports performance.
DARIUS GARLAND 10
DARIUS GARLAND
TRISTAN THOMPSON
HEIGHT
6’9”
WEIGHT 254 LB COLLEGE TEXAS
D.O.B MARCH 13, 1991
ACQ. SIGNED ON 9/12/23
TRISTAN THOMPSON
30 YEARS OF THRILLS,
TRANSFORMATION AND TRIUMPH
ROCKET MORTGAGE
BY JONI ALLEN
MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE:
From nail-biting playoff games to soul-stirring concerts, the arena has been the backdrop for moments that have defined generations.
As the autumn air settled over Cleveland, Ohio, a landmark celebration unfolded on the corner of Huron and Ontario. October 17, 2024, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse marked its 30th anniversary, commemorating three decades of unforgettable moments, economic impact and civic engagement. From its start as Gund Arena to its evolution into a world-class venue, this entertainment and community hub has been at the heart of Cleveland's renaissance and revitalization, hosting over 5,000 events during its time and welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
The venue's journey began in 1992 when key city leaders including Gordon Gund, who was the current Chairman of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers from 1983 - 2005, broke ground on the Gateway district to prepare for construction. Two years later, in 1994, Gund Arena – named after its visionary owner – finally opened its doors in downtown Cleveland, becoming the new home of the Cavaliers.
"I really believe the arena at Gateway will make it possible for Cleveland to become a national jewel,” said Gordon Gund, Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman of the Board. “Ensuring that the arena is constructed in the highest quality manner possible is every bit as high a priority for me as bringing an NBA Championship to this city. The arena will accelerate the renaissance of the City of Cleveland.”
The opening of the brand-new arena in 1994 provided Cleveland with a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue at the heart of the city, igniting a wave of economic growth and revitalization in downtown Cleveland. Over the past 30 years, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has fulfilled its promise of becoming a premier destination for sports and entertainment, hosting over 5,000 events and attracting 1.5 million visitors annually. The arena’s enduring success has solidified its role as a central hub for both local and international events, contributing to Cleveland’s cultural and economic vibrancy.
Since day one, the venue has taken pride in an identity of more than a basketball arena, but as the heart and soul of Cleveland, bringing in acts that would cater to every member of the community, truly an arena for everyone. It has hosted a wide range of events, from Billy Joel as Gund Arena's sold out grand opening show in 1994 to the most viewed and attended NCAA Women's Final Four in history this past March. The arena has been a magnet for top-tier talent, hosting over 50 performances by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and countless shows by platinum-selling artists, including Eric Clapton, Paramore, Drake, and Bruce Springsteen. All this while being home to a Championship NBA team, hosting 5 NBA Finals and two NBA All-Star Games, and an AHL attendance-leading, Calder Cup Champion, team for more than six months out of the year.
Six years down the road, the building continued to evolve alongside downtown Cleveland and became Quicken Loans Arena, reflecting the team's new Chairman, Dan Gilbert. Gilbert’s commitment to the arena and downtown Cleveland has constantly been on display as he consistently invests in the building, ensuring it operates at the highest level.
“Ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers is an honor and a privilege,” said Gilbert upon his acquisition in 2005. “It also entails a responsibility to the fans and the community. We intend to have a positive impact on as many people as we can throughout northeast Ohio.”
Hosted by Two-Time NBA Champion and NCAA Golfer J.R. Smith (The Pro Athlete) and Malbon Golf Co-Founder Stephen Malbon (The Lifer), Par 3 Podcast gives listeners a candid, unapologetic and fun look at golf while redefining what ‘Golf Is Life’ means. These golf addicts and cultural influencers are coming together to provide a brand new diverse POV on Golf with the Par 3 Podcast.
The most recent transformation came in 2019 when a major renovation ushered in the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse era. This $185 million project modernized the facility and reinforced its position as the premier sports and entertainment destination in Northeast Ohio.
As a result, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has emerged as a powerhouse of economic growth in Cuyahoga County, serving as a beacon of revitalization for downtown Cleveland since its inception in 1994. The arena's impact on the local economy has been nothing short of transformative, generating an impressive $3.6 billion in direct spending and contributing over $1.1 billion in tax revenue. With a total economic output of nearly $6.6 billion, the venue has solidified its position as the most significant driver of economic impact in the region. Beyond these remarkable figures, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse plays a crucial role in the local job market, providing employment opportunities for 2,500 individuals annually through a mix of full-time and part-time positions.
“The 30th anniversary of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse celebrates more than just an arena, we are honoring a symbol of community, a catalyst for economic growth and the home of countless lifelong memories,” said Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO.
“We serve as a hub for major community events and our commitment to Northeast Ohio only grows stronger by the day, we intend continuing our investment in downtown Cleveland and fortifying a concrete foundation for a thriving community.”
Some of the marquee events the FieldHouse has hosted over the years have included five NBA Finals series (2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018), two NBA All-Star Games (1997 and 2022), and two NCAA Women's Final Four Games (2007 and 2024). In 2016 the FieldHouse celebrated dual championships with the Cavs becoming NBA Champions and the Cleveland Monsters winning the AHL Calder Cup. The FieldHouse also hosted the 2016 Republican National Convention, 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and most recently the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, showcasing its versatility and importance as a multi-purpose facility.
Looking ahead, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is set to host the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds in 2025, and the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in 2026. With such a diverse lineup, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse continues to be a versatile and vital part of Cleveland's cultural landscape.
As we raise a toast to 30 years of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, we celebrate more than just a building. We honor a symbol of Cleveland's resilience, a catalyst for economic growth and a home for countless memories. From nail-biting playoff games to soulstirring concerts, this venue has been the backdrop for moments that have defined generations.
Here's to 30 more years of thrills, transformation and triumph in the heart of Cleveland!
HelpCureHD aims to help
improve the quality of life for those affected by Huntington’s Disease by contributing financial, emotional, and mental support while trying to find the cure.
THE PROBLEM
There is no cure for Huntington’s Disease. Currently, there is a 50/50 chance a child could inherit the disease if a parent has HD in their family line.
There is a way to stop the gene from being passed on, through in vitro fertilization, or IVF. A procedure that implants embryos that do not have the HD gene can cost upwards of $25,000 - $30,000. This treatment is the only way parents who are at risk can guarantee their biological child will be HD-free.
born, and many on the way!
UNION PROUD
UNION STRONG
CITY EDITION
The two-year story arc for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2023 - 2025 City Edition jerseys will highlight Cleveland’s relationship to the arts: both visual and performing arts. From the historic Playhouse Square area of downtown Cleveland, the United States’ largest theater district outside of New York City, to the iconic Cleveland Museum of Art and its extensive global art collection, the City Edition theme will put Cleveland’s connection to both local and global art in the spotlight. Through the jersey and court design, along with its many local and global activation opportunities to interact with the arts community, the two-year City Edition arc will put the rich arts scene of the Midwest into center stage.
In 2024-25, The Cavs’ City Edition jersey is inspired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The 2 toned blue uniform takes its inspiration from the traditional colors of the museum’s logo. The font and number design are influenced by the museum’s stepped, twotoned granite facade. On the side panels of the jersey and shorts, a “color by numbers/paint by numbers” motif takes shape signifying that art can mean anything to anyone and the Cavs hope to inspire a whole generation of new artists by participating in this partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Art
CAVALIERS CITY EDITION COURT SINCE 2024-25
COLORS:
STAIN: AND ORIGIN
Adopt a teen. You can’t imagine the reward. Who adopted who?
GEORGES NIANG
COLLEGE IOWA STATE
D.O.B JUNE 17, 1993
ACQ. SIGNED ON 7/6/23
GEORGES NIANG
THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
1. WHICH FAMOUS ARTIST IS FEATURED IN THE CMA’S NEW FEATURED EXHIBITION?
a. Pierre-Auguste Renoir
b. Edouard Manet
c. Edgar Degas
d. Pablo Picasso
2. WHEN WAS THE CMA OPENED?
a. 1919
b. 1916
c. 1914
d. 1935
3. WHICH RENOWNED CLEVELAND CHEF OPERATES THE CMA’S PROVENANCE RESTAURANT?
a. Michael Symon
b. Jill Vedaa
c. Dante Boccuzzi
d. Doug Katz
4. WHO SERVED AS THE MUSEUM’S FIRST DIRECTOR?
a. William M. Milliken
b. Dr. Evan Hopkins
c. Frederic Allen Whiting
d. Dr. Sherman Emery Lee
5. THE CMA HAS MORE THAN 61,000 ARTWORKS
a. True
b. False
6. THE ART IN THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART SPANS OVER HOW MANY YEARS?
a. 2,000 years
b. 4,000 years
c. 6,000 years
d. 10,000 years
7. WHAT IS THE ADMISSION FEE FOR THE CMA?
a. $25
b. $15
c. $30
d. It’s free!
8. HOW MUCH SPACE WAS ADDED BY THE CMA’S 2013 RENOVATION?
a. None
b. It doubled
c. 12,000 square feet
d. 300,000 square feet
9. WHO CURRENTLY SERVES AS DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM?
a. William M. Griswold
b. Katharine Lee Reid
c. David Franklin
d. Dr, Sherman Emery Lee
10. WHICH FAMOUS STATUE SITS AT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE OF THE CLEVELAND ART MUSEUM?
a. Venus de Milo
b. Rodin’s Thinker
c. Degas’ Little Dancer
d. Leshan Giant Buddha
ANSWER KEY: 1) d, Pablo Picasso; 2) b, 1916; 3) d, Doug Katz; 4) c, Frederic Allen Whiting;
Griswold;
Rodin’s Thinker
PICASSO AND PAPER
S. Lipscomb Fund, Bill and Joyce Litzler, the Roy Minoff Family Fund,
Anne and the late Carl Morrison, Jeffrey Mostade and Eric Nilson and Varun Shetty,
Christine Powell, Michael and Cindy Resch, William Roj and
Small acts of kindness can have a big impact in making people feel welcome. When we reach out and connect with others, we can build a stronger community where everyone – regardless of their background – feels like they belong.
LEARN HOW AT
BELONGINGBEGINSWITHUS.ORG
JAYLON TYSON
HEIGHT
6’6”
WEIGHT 215 LB
COLLEGE CALIFORNIA
D.O.B DECEMBER 2, 2002
ACQ. ‘24 DRAFT, PICK #20
JAYLON TYSON
Think that’s scary?
Sharks can be terrifying.
But what’s really scary, and even deadly, is distracted driving.
Eyes forward. Don’t drive distracted.
JARRETT ALLEN
HEIGHT
6’9” WEIGHT 243 LB COLLEGE TEXAS
D.O.B APRIL 21, 1998
ACQ. TRD FROM BKN 1/14/21
JARRETT ALLEN
180th Fighter Wing
BY PETE CROATTO
CHARGE IT TO THE PUBLIC
THE CLEVELAND CHARGE ARE GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH CALLING ONE OF THE CITY’S CROWN JEWELS, THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC AUDITORIUM, ITS HOMECOURT.
“There’s nothing more Cleveland than this building.“
Rocco Maragas, chief operating officer and senior vice president of the Cleveland Charge
Cleveland Public Auditorium has been a fixture in the city for more than 100 years. It wasn’t the obvious choice for the new home of the Cleveland Charge — until Rocco Maragas, chief operating officer and senior vice president of the Cavs’ G League affiliate, paid a visit.
He was enchanted by the grand staircases; the abundance of post-Gilded Age marble; the gorgeous building oozed history. These walls didn’t talk, they screamed. In front of 11,000 fans and just 26 seconds into the first round, Joe Louis knocked out Clevelander Eddie Simms in Dec. 1936. The Beatles performed to a frothing teenage hoard in Sept 1964. The wheels of democracy turned during The Republican National Conventions of 1924 and 1936.
The past wasn’t as alluring to Maragas as the future. He knew how much the Charge could do here. Now, the team “can be bigger and better than we’ve ever been before.”
The city of Cleveland was happy to accommodate that plan. Bonnie Teeuwen, the city’s chief operating officer, believes Public Auditorium should be used every day. The Charge gets her 24 days closer to that objective while showing more people the beauty and utility of this architectural marvel.
MOVING ON UP
The Charge had played its home games at Wolstein Center, Cleveland State’s home court, since 2021. It was an excellent venue, Maragas said, that couldn’t accommodate the franchise’s growth in one critical area — floor seats.
“We expanded them continuously — over and over and over again,” Maragas said, “to the point where in the middle of this past season we added more than 150.” There was no room left and a big problem for the team.
“We need to be able to continue our business and expand,” Maragas explained. “And there just wasn’t the opportunity in that building.”
He began looking for alternatives. The team, Maragas thought, could move in a year or two. He tried area colleges. Public Hall, the auditorium’s big space, “sort of came up out of nowhere,” Maragas said. No one from the Charge toured the spot when the team moved from Canton in 2021. Some three years later, no other spot would do.
“I think a lot of the folks (at the Charge) were in awe of the building, of the beauty of the building and the opportunity they could have in the building,” Teeuwen said.
The city council approved the move June 3. The Charge’s homes games are slated to be played at the auditorium’s main venue, Public Hall, once construction is complete on the new locker rooms, training rooms & back-of-house facilities, Maragas said. The team will play its first five games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before making their Public Hall debut on Saturday, December 13, against the Wisconsin Herd and playing the rest of the season there.
Public Hall can host basketball. There’s an awkward, ironic precedent: Cleveland State once played there. Wolstein holds more than 13,000 fans, but Public Hall’s abundance of floor space allows the team to do more than set up those valued courtside seats. “As many as the Cavs,” Maragas observed. It also creates opportunities for food and beverage, retail, and kid- and family-centered zones, Maragas said, without guests losing sight of the game.
Then
“We want to be Cleveland’s place for fun.”
- Maragas
The investment is also worth it. It’s going into a city building that has rich history that’s usable now and will continue to be usable for the foreseeable future.
“We want to be Cleveland’s place for fun,” he said.
The team’s massive LED screen will make the trip, but not everything needs to be modernized for the fan experience. “It’s a 100-year-old building, so there’s no sound dampening in that thing,” Maragas said. “That’s a lot of brick and concrete, and it’s going to be loud.”
Fans are ready. “We’re getting many calls,” Susie Claytor, executive commissioner for the city, who oversees Public Auditorium, said in early September. “Do we have the schedule? Do we know who they’re going to play?”
The G League holds itself to the same standards as the NBA, Maragas said; two out of every three players on the floor, he added, have played in the NBA. That means renovations led by new locker rooms for both teams and a fitness center. The cost is in the neighborhood of $3 million. One upside of the construction is it may entice other teams and sports events to use Public Hall, Teeuwen said.
“The investment is also worth it,” Maragas said. “It’s going into a city building that has rich history that’s usable now and will continue to be usable for the foreseeable future. That’s the nicest thing about it.”
Aside from the building, the city owns the nearby parking facility, another obvious economic benefit to the Charge’s multi-year arrangement — even with the city giving the franchise up to a $1 million credit on its rent. City businesses will continue to benefit from an influx of hoops fans. Being closer to the center of downtown helps.
Teeuwen and Claytor see another angle. “We’re excited, because it’s going to bring in anywhere from two to five-thousand new faces possibly,” Claytor said. “That should generate not only the revenue, but new contacts, new events hopefully.”
Public Auditorium, Claytor added, hosts a lot of conventions and business events. But they’re not open to the public. Families, therefore, aren’t compelled to visit the auditorium, Teeuwen said. That the Charge’s business ethos and audience differs from its usual clientele can help spread the word.
- Maragas
“The more we use it, I think, and the more people are exposed to it, the more ideas people are going to have about how they can use Public Auditorium,” Teeuwen said.
“There’s nothing more Cleveland than this building.”
Today’s sports arenas are essentially upscale malls mixed with luxury suites built around a field of play. Public Auditorium opened in April 1922, when architecture was the main attraction.
“Public Auditorium was one of seven public buildings constructed as part of the Cleveland Group Plan of 1903,” wrote John Horan and Chris Roy in an article on The Cleveland Historical Society’s website. “Reflecting the goals of the “City Beautiful” movement (attractive public buildings and open spaces), the Group Plan emphasized Roman Revival and Beaux Arts architecture surrounding a large mall.”
The result: a building “magnificent in scale and aesthetic allure.”
The registration lobby clocked in at close to 22,000 square feet. Color frescos lined the balcony, which featured a massive pipe organ on the stage. Music Hall, its stage placed back-to-back with the one in Public Auditorium (now frequently called Public Hall), was added in 1929. Both stages were hot spots for rock n’ roll acts, including The Rolling Stones and The Who.
In the 1950s and 1960s, voters rejected a series of resolutions that would have improved Public Hall. After a subterranean addition in 1963, Public Auditorium “remained static,” Horan and Roy wrote, “until 2011.” That’s when changes came to The Mall, including the addition of the Hilton Cleveland Downtown and Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
Despite, in Horan and Roy’s words, “the help of some powerful neighbors,” the massive building is still easy to overlook. Claytor said competition for conference and business space in the city is fierce. Arenas and stadiums abound, with offerings from the Cavs, Browns, and Guardians leading the way, but they all lack what only Public Auditorium has.
“There’s nothing more Cleveland,” Maragas said, “than this building.“
DEAN WADE
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
228 LB
COLLEGE K ANSAS STATE
D.O.B NOVEMBER 20, 1996
ACQ. SIGNED ON 7/9/19
6’9”
DEAN WADE
ISAAC OKORO
HEIGHT
6’5”
WEIGHT 225 LB
COLLEGE AUBURN
D.O.B JANUARY 26, 2001
ACQ. ‘20 DRAFT, PICK #5
We’ll do more than cheer you on. We’ll hook you up.
See how Dublin takes care of business
DONOVAN MITCHELL
HEIGHT
6’3”
WEIGHT 215 LB
COLLEGE LOUISVILLE
D.O.B SEP TEMBER 7, 1996
ACQ. TRD FROM UTA 9/3/22
DONOVAN MITCHELL
MONSTERS
Drop the Puck on 2024-25 Season, Cleveland’s 18th AHL Campaign
The 2024-25 American Hockey League season is underway as the Cleveland Monsters celebrate their 18th campaign in the AHL following a North Division title, the first Division Championship in club history, and a thrilling run to the Eastern Conference Finals where the club was upended by the two-time defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears. Returning head coach Trent Vogelhuber, born in the Cleveland area and raised in greater Columbus, embarks on his third season at the helm as the team looks to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs.
This season, the Monsters remain in the Eastern Conference’s North Division alongside the Belleville Senators, Laval Rocket, Rochester Americans, Syracuse Crunch, Toronto Marlies, and Utica Comets. The team’s 72-game regular season schedule features eight matchups apiece versus Rochester and Toronto, and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the Western Conference’s Central Division. The Monsters’ 2024-25 schedule also features four games apiece versus division foes Belleville, Laval, Syracuse, and Utica, and inter-Division opponents the Charlotte Checkers, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Providence Bruins, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the Atlantic Division, and the Central Division’s Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, and Texas Stars.
Northeast Ohio families in search of value-packed, fun-filled weekend entertainment need look no further than Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during the fall and winter months as the Monsters’ 202425 schedule features 25 weekend home games, including eight Friday night tilts, 13 Saturday contests, and four Sunday afternoon matinee home games.
Cleveland’s 2024-25 promotional schedule is once again chockfull of fan-favorite promo nights including the return of 1-2-3 Fridays featuring $1 Coca-Cola products, $2 hot dogs, and $3 Labatt Blue and select draft beers, Blue Jackets Nights celebrating Cleveland’s NHL affiliate featuring CBJ-themed jerseys, and Monsters Family Days presented by Castaway Bay, featuring Monsters Kids Meals complete with a hot dog, chips, and an ice-cold Coca-Cola for only $7!
In addition to the club’s white, black, and blue uniforms and Cleveland’s Blue Jackets-themed threads, the Monsters will sport four specialty jersey designs on six separate occasions this season with game-worn jerseys auctioned off after each contest to benefit local charities. The Monsters will pay tribute to Northeast Ohio’s original apex predator with the team’s Fossil Faceoff presented by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (December 14th) before the Monsters turn back the clock to Cleveland’s IHL days with Lumberjacks Weekend (January 31st and February 1st). Cleveland will sport custom kid-designed jerseys on UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Night (March 1st) while the club will celebrate the region’s Polish Heritage with specialty Pucks and Pierogies jerseys (April 4th and 5th).
This season, the Monsters promotional calendar features four giveaway nights, including a Monsters Long-Sleeve Schedule T-Shirt Giveaway courtesy of the UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute on Opening Night (October 26th, first 5,000 fans), a Monsters Scarf presented by Cargill on Youth Hockey Night (December 28th, first 5,000 fans), a WMMS The Buzzard T-Shirt Giveaway presented by Medical Mutual on Cleveland Rocks Night (January 11th, first 10,000 fans), and a totally unique “Jet in a Jet” Jet Greaves Bobblehead Giveaway presented by NEO Lead Abatement on March 29th (first 10,000 fans).
The Monsters will also continue their quest to Grow the Game with several Diversity and Inclusion-themed games this season with proceeds raised on each night to benefit local partner charities. Cleveland will host Unidos por Cleveland: Latiné Celebration on November 3rd, Pride Night on November 23rd, the team’s annual Black Heritage Celebration on February 28th, and the club’s annual Women’s History Celebration on March 7th.
Cleveland’s busiest month of the season will be November, featuring a grand total of 13 games – seven home tilts against four opponents (Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Rochester, and Toronto) and six road games versus four different teams (Providence, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica). The Monsters’ longest road trip of the season will be a season-opening five-game trek to Hershey, Charlotte, and Rochester (October 12th – 23rd), while the team’s lengthiest homestand will span more than three weeks from December 6th –28th and feature eight total games against Grand Rapids, Lehigh Valley, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica.
It’s always been easier for me to help others
than to help myself
As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.
WHAT ARE YOUR COMMERCIAL FLAT ROOFS WORTH?
Whether it's $10 ousand or $10 Million, as li le as 10 percent could be the di erence between repeating the investment in 20 or 40 years. Let us show you the money....13 minutes, could save you millions.
