CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Life’s been good for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joe Walsh.

He left a local band, the Measles, and replaced guitarist Glenn Schwarts, who moved to California and joined Pacific Gas & Electric, in Cleveland trio The James Gang in 1968.

It didn’t take long for the music world to notice.

“Guys like Jimmy Page, Led Zepplin guitarist, were like, ‘Oh my God, who is this guy,’” said longtime friend and former manager David Spero. “Pete Townshend, of the Who, when he saw the James Gang, invited them to come and do their European tour.”

“He’s absolutely one of the greatest guitar players out there,” Spero added. “(And) he’s an amazing songwriter.”

But before fame and notoriety, Joe Walsh, born Joseph Fidler in Wichita, Kansas in 1947, came to Northeast Ohio to attend Kent State University.

“Joe became Joe Walsh in the Cleveland area,” Spero remembered. “Kent State, while they were playing, learning the game, coming up through the clubs, opening for this act or that act and then becoming a headliner, that all was drinking the Northeast Ohio water.”

He returned to Kent State for May Fourth commemorations and remains close to friends in the area, even after he joined seventies, Southern California supergroup, The Eagles, for their masterpiece, the “Hotel California” album.

“He’s a major part of the Eagles and if people go to see them live, that last half hour, forty minutes of the show is pretty much all Joe,” said Spero.

Joe Walsh was inducted into the Rock Hall with the Eagles in 1998 but friends, fans, and colleagues say there should be more nominations.

“Joe Walsh deserves to be like the Eric Claptons or Neil Youngs, a three-time guy,” said Spero.

“The James Gang as a power trio,” he said of other nominations for Walsh’s music like “Funk 49″ and “Walk Away.” “The stuff he has done as a solo artist has been huge, ‘Rocky Mountain Way,’ ‘Life’s Been Good.’”

Known as “Average Joe” and “The Clown Prince of Rock” for some of his antics, Walsh wild side is legendary.

“Joe had gone out and bought an electric glue gun and proceeded to take everything in his hotel room and glue it on the ceiling,” Spero remembered. “I think that bill was about $59000. So Joe was a bit crazy.”

But Spero says, at heart, Joe’s just a Northeast Ohio guy.

“When Joe looks back on things, he’s so fond of this area,” Spero reminisces. “Home is where the heart is, I think he would say Northeast Ohio.”

“He’s a good guy,” Spero concludes. “He has that Northeast Ohio mentality.”

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Oh man, what a great game to watch as a Cavs fan. The Cavaliers pulled out a massive win against the Hornets, getting revenge for their overtime loss. Offense was on fire, Darius Garland had a double-double. Donovan Mitchell had 30 for himself, and we saw the return of De’Andre Hunter dominance in a 139-132 win.

Now the Cavaliers (16-14) play another team that has yet to reach the 10 win mark in the New Orleans Pelicans (8-22). They should not be taken lightly though as they have recently had a resurgence in the season with a five game winning streak. 

They have not let rumors of some big trades affect them in this run either. Zion has not played a ton of games yet but since his return the team has looked rejuvenated under interim head coach James Borrego.

The win against the Hornets was massive for the Cavs with Owner Dan Gilbert being reportedly very concerned and players like Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen being in trade rumors.

Watching last night’s game, one of the few concerns should be centered around the defense. Up by as much as 19 in the fourth quarter, they only won by 7 in the end. 

It was one win for the Cavaliers, but it felt like an earned win that could flip the season. Cleveland is still being patient with reigning Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson despite the rough start.

Where to find the Pelicans vs. Cavs game tonight?

Channel: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio 

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Pelicans vs. Cavs Injury Report

Pelicans: Dejounte Murray (achilles) is out. 

Cavs: Max Strus (foot) is out. Larry Nance Jr. (knee) is out. Evan Mobley (calf) is out. 

Probable Starting Lineups

Pelicans

Pelicans vs. Cavaliers predictions, odds, best bets

Odds: Cavaliers by 9.5

O/U: 244.5

Cavaliers 134 , Pelicans 125: Defense seems to be the question here. They can score as much as they want, but can the Cavs with Evan Mobley stop a team from scoring a ton.

New Orleans is among the worst defensive teams in points allowed in a game and are worse than the Cavs when it comes to rebounding, which is a rare occurrence this season. Cleveland has all the tools to go out and blow out the Pelicans if they can get their team together.

Cavaliers 2025-2026 Schedule

• Thursday, Dec. 25 @ New York

• Saturday Dec. 27 @ Houston

• Monday, Dec. 29 @ San Antonio

Cavs center Thomas Bryant thought he had the rookie, until he didn’t.

PublishedDecember 22, 2025 9:56 PM EST•UpdatedDecember 23, 2025 12:45 AM EST

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant learned the hard way that karma moves quicker than Donovan Mitchell in transition.

Bryant was on the wrong side of a replay after backing down Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel for a hook shot. 

The journeyman center couldn’t resist an over-the-top celebration … so Bryant flexed his way downcourt, hitting the “too small” gesture at the 20-year-old. Then, gravity struck. Hard.

Bryant tripped over thin air, barrel-rolling across the hardwood as he ran back on defense. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd went from cheers to raspberries … with the tumbling Bryant looking very small on the floor.

WATCH:

There’s no question Bryant wishes he were riding the same high that Kon has all season. 

The rook is leading the Rookie of the Year race, averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. While Bryant celebrated his layup against a smaller defender, Knueppel celebrated his 100th made three-point shot in just 29 games. 

Social media roasted the big man for celebrating too early. “Ball don’t lie is undefeated. Don’t disrespect the opponent when you’re ‘Thomas Bryant,’” one fan posted on X.

The 6-foot-10 vet, who inked a deal with Cleveland this offseason to add some interior muscle, is not expected to do much from the limited scorer.

Go for the fist pump next time, pal.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela