LOS ANGELES — The Cleveland Cavaliers' Sunday showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers told the story of two teams who are headed in completely different directions.
The Lakers came out of the gate blistering the Cavs sluggish defense on the back of a momentarily resurgent Russell Westbrook. Lebron and Anthony Davis were bullying the lesser experienced Cavaliers.
Three point shots weren't going down. The Cavs missed countless shots underneath the basket.
The arena formerly known as Staples, now Crypto.com Arena, was coming unglued as the then 2-7 Lakers looked rejuvenated with their aging and oft-injured stars playing fast and loose.
Yet when the clock hit zero at the half, the Cavs only trailed by 6.
Insert the man who may be the most underrated component to the quick turnaround the Cavaliers have experienced on the court of the the last two seasons, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
The classic "halftime speech" may be one of the biggest clichés in all of sports. Often time used by angry fans clinging to hope as their team looks overmatched and out-hustled as they head into the locker room at the halfway point of the game.
Whatever J.B. said to the Cavs at halftime, it was exactly what they needed to hear to get back on track.
The Cavs held the Lakers to 36 total points in the second half. The second half effort was so dominant, the Lakers reserves were inserted into the game with 5 minutes to play in the 4th quarter as the Cavs rolled to a 14 point victory and eighth straight win.
The "Junkyard Dog" chain has been passed around quite a bit early this season. However, Sunday, the award collected a first in its existence.
Watch below as Cavs legend Kevin Love presented the award to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after Sunday's win.
The good vibes coming from this team are unlike anything we've seen in the recent NBA.
While teams like the Nets, Lakers and Clippers who are laden with superstars and unrelenting championship-or-bust expectations, the Cavs have turned into one of the best feel good stories in sports.
Not only have the Cavs rebuilt the roster post-Lebron into one of the most promising, young rosters in the NBA, they've built a culture that is untouched in the league.