Links to the Present: “A Mask Means Trouble” Edition

Something has obviously changed since this Cavs team capped its Thanksgiving Weekend by winning their fourth straight game. Since then, they’ve dropped three straight and have been completely unable to stop opposing teams from scoring in the paint.

Now after this third loss against the Bulls, it’s all taking me back to where things started to go downhill..

What was the biggest eye sore to myself — and to many I’m sure — was J.R. Smith’s strange performance on and off the court.

While you’ve probably seen all the clips by now, since I still can’t get over it, maybe a recap of his bizarre behavior will give some release.

In Tuesday’s game against the Bucks, the Bucks were set to inbound the ball. J.R., however, thought it would be a great time to show some love to Milwaukee’s Jason Terry and completely ignore the fact that the clock was going. The Cavs were down 50-51 and Smith’s absence from the play lead to a wide-open dunk from Tony Snell.

J.R. Smith with that 🔒⬇️ defense. https://t.co/nCqFRtYb30

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 30, 2016

Mind-blowing, right?

What also really grinds my gears is his post-game interview..

Ladies and gentlemen, J.R. Smith pic.twitter.com/SXFjZv8z6A

— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) November 30, 2016

Okay so first off, a face mask? I mean, my style can be pretty questionable at times too, but compounding his poor play with a sensational choice in post-game attire could be construed as Smith being disrespectful to his coach and his team… let alone the media talking to him.

While making statements about his post-game appearance saying he’s acting as his “alter ego”, then to say you weren’t “paying attention” and you “don’t remember that play?” C’mon J.R., you’re better than that.

The absence from Smith wasn’t the only reason the Cavs took their first L in five games, though. After 19 turnovers, Head Coach Tyronn Lue responded to his team’s performance and took all the starters out to swap them for the bench.

“Me and J.R. talked about it,” Lue said Wednesday (per The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer). “We’re just going to move forward. We had a discussion about it, he felt embarrassed about it, it was an embarrassing play. We talked about it. We’re moving on.”

Safe to say that ride home probably wasn’t too fun.

In other links…

•Frustration during Thursday’s home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers elicited a surprising reaction from Kyrie Irving. While the point guard stretched his string of games scoring 20+ to a career-best eight, he can now add one jab to Paul Pierce to the list, too.

•We also all may have heard the great news of LeBron hitting Sports Illustrated covers once again – receiving the award of Sportsperson of the year for the second time.

From the editors: Why @KingJames is @SInow's 2016 Sportsperson of the Year #SISportsperson https://t.co/xQBqOqYh7j pic.twitter.com/eQQJiDkzeJ

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) December 1, 2016

It may be no surprise to many because you see much of the good he does on a daily as a father, husband and athlete for Cleveland. From his huge passion and enthusiasm for his hometown, to the City of Cleveland, northeast Ohio and for the rest of the state, you can see that James certainly gives a whole lot. With his charitable foundations and wide-spread donations, LeBron’s latest act of generosity was recently made to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. LeBron made a donation of $2.5 million to support the “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change,” exhibit, which will focus on Ali’s commitment to social justice.

According to InsidePhilanthropy.com, James was always of fan of Ali and it’s clear that he’s also a fan of representing who he is and what he stands for, as well.

This is another well deserved award for this hometown hero. Maybe now he can use his position as Sportsperson to straighten his team out.

–LeBron James’ Cubs uniform is the real MVP. Watch as the King takes on an L for his recent World Series bet with Dwayne Wade and their game against the Bulls on Friday.

–Cavs’ Squads showing kids that being healthy can also be fun.

-LeBron James, Russell Westbrook named Players of the Month.