CLEVELAND, Ohio - Few things in sports have evolved like locker rooms.

Decades ago, wooden benches lined often dank basements with exposed pipes.

Things have changed.

The renovations that Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse didn't spare an inch, and that includes the Cavs' locker room, which is now three times bigger.

Of course there's a state-of-the-art sound system and a new rug, a giant Cavs logo emblazoned in the center. Individual lockers look like five-star hotel closets, with etchings of Cleveland's cityscape. Doors slide out and over with no exposed hinges, and the shoe compartments have holes for aeration.

An LED board runs across the lockers. Cavs Coach John Beilein can control the mood through colors and logos. If the Cavs are having a throwback jersey night, the colors can shift. The board also can be used for crawlers, scores and messages.

"The coach has the ability to change the mood in here," said Zack Yohman, the Cavs' senior manager, corporate communications.

Lockers were paid for with 100% private funding outside the project's financing scope, the team said. Also, the Monsters have a separate, dedicated locker room.

The Cavs say it rivals any locker in the NBA, and that amounts to more than an arcane opinion. When a locker room is a second home for players, it might serve as a small extra recruiting enticement for players who are considering signing with Cleveland in the future.

A view from inside the new atrium entryway at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse opened to the public Saturday, Sept. 28, after $185 million in renovations. A grand-opening ceremony and open house drew thousands. We’ve been exploring the transformation with a series of stories and photo galleries this week, looking floor by floor at the many improvements and exploring everything from new dining-and-drink options to the Cavs new locker room.

Here’s a recap of our coverage:

Overview

The $185 million transformation of Quicken Loans Arena into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is finally complete, and fans headed to this weekend’s unveiling will discover a like-new facility. Pretty much everything surrounding the playing floor and interior bowl has been redone, from floor (check out the terrazzo tiles) to ceiling (heightened, you will notice). MORE ABOUT THE NEW ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE

Q&A with Len Komoroski

The overhaul of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse doesn’t just reflect a lot of expense and a lot of new new stuff. It also reflects a lot of thinking on the part of the Cavs. Cleveland.com recently sat down with Cavs CEO Len Komoroski to talk about the theories behind some of the big changes and little flourishes that the Cavs hope will give the place the feel of “Cleveland’s living room.” READ THE KOMORSKI INTERVIEW

“This Week in the CLE” podcast

Reporter Marc Bona has spent hours getting to know the new digs for a series of stories published on cleveland.com this week, and he joins cleveland.com Editor Chris Quinn and cohost Laura Johnston on the latest episode of This Week in the CLE to share his insider’s views. LISTEN NOW

Cost comparisons

The Cleveland Cavaliers say the multi-million-dollar overhaul of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the most public-friendly arena deal compared to other among recent projects in similar mid-size NBA markets. We take a look arena deals that have opened or been announced in the past two years. HERE’S HOW THE FINANCING COMPARES TO CLEVELAND

Floor-by-floor guides & photos tours

Level E: A photo-intensive tour of the FieldHouse’s Event level, which features floor seating, the Bacardi Ocho Signature Lounge, Chairman’s Club and Courtside Club. We also checked out the new Cavs locker room and other amenities. TAKE THE ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE EVENT LEVEL TOUR

Level F: A photo-intensive tour of the Everstream Founders level, featuring Founders suites 1-27 and banquet rooms. TAKE THE LEVEL F TOUR

Level S: A photo-intensive tour of the Street level main concourse, with portals 1-30, Members Lounge, Cavaliers team shop, restaurants and bars. Posting at 8 a.m. TAKE THE LEVEL S TOUR

Level C: A photo-intensive tour of the Huntington Club level, where you’ll find portals 40-49 and club suites 1-34, in addition to the Westfield Champions Club, Huntington Legends Club and east bridge to parking to the Gateway East Garage. TAKE THE LEVEL C TOUR

Level L: A photo-intensive tour of the FirstEnergy Louisville level. We’ll check out the extensive makeover Loudville received in the upper levels, where you will find portals 50-81 and the new Budweiser Brew House and Overlook Bar. TAKE THE LEVEL L TOUR

Good eats: Dining at the arena

The dining options are diverse, Cleveland-centric and chef-driven. We look at the offerings and speak to some of the chefs who have a presence in the arena. DIG IN

Concerts: How will the renovations affect live shows?

The first event in the renovated arena won’t be a sporting event but a concert, when the Black Keys perform Monday, Sept. 30. We examine how the concert-going experience might change with the upgrades. MORE ON THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE

Cleveland rocks: Arena proudly embraces the city

When you’re in the arena, you will know you are in Cleveland. MANY TOUCHES WAVE THE CITY’S FLAG

By the numbers

What did it take to renovate the arena, from square footage gained to gallons of paint used? HERE’S A BY-THE-NUMBERS GLANCE

Crowd flow expected to improve in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

When officials undertook the renovation, one thing became a clear priority: The flow in the concourse. There are some big changes here, all in the name of opening space and making things more convenient for fans. GO WITH THE FLOW

Finding your way through Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse just got much easier

Wayfinding: New system helps get fans to seats more directly Don’t know what a portal is? You’re about to find out. A system will be used to lead fans to their seats quicker through a new system and improved signage. MORE ON WAYFINDING

Behind the scenes: From video to VersaClimbers

Most fans see two main parts of an arena - action on a court or ice, and the concessions. But there’s a whole world that most people don’t get to go. GO BEHIND THE SCENES

The locker room: State-of-the-art amenities installed

If the image of a few barren chairs and cramped metal closets comes to mind when you think of a typical locker room, you’re in for a surprise. The Cavs have a state-of-the-art locker room. TOUR THE LOCKER ROOM

Loudville: The upper level gets a makeover

Loudville, home to the arena’s upper levels, received an extensive makeover. The Budweiser Brew House and Overlook Bar are two key additions that officials see as having a positive effect on fans. MORE ON LOUDVILLE

Private spaces: Examining the lounges and clubs

Many private areas were upgraded throughout the renovation. Here’s a look at what’s new. MORE ON CLUBS & LOUNGES

Upgrades

Several technology touches aimed at immersing guests into the sports-and-entertainment experience at the renovated Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse would not have been possible had the Cleveland Cavaliers stuck to the original budget. The Cavs and owner Dan Gilbert contributed an extra $45 million to pay for them. READ MORE

Technology: High tech surroundings

The arena’s upgrade will be felt on multiple levels, technologically speaking, from the moment you walk in to how you order food. Here’s what to expect. MORE ON THE TECH