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One thing each member of Cavs’ young core should look to improve

By Amadou Sow

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball down the court during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball down the court during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images) /
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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland shoots the ball. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

Where Garland needs to improve for the Cavs: Three-point shooting aggression

The massive strides that Darius Garland has made in his play over the course of his career have helped to accelerate this Cleveland rebuild. Drafted with the fifth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Garland’s rookie season was a forgettable one. Coming off a meniscus injury, he clearly wasn’t himself but still left some optimism in his play.

Garland would work all offseason and this past season, he was able to show why he was worth the fifth pick. Garland averaged 18.2 points and 6.3 assists per game as a starter this season, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from three. His starter splits really showcase his play as his reserve minutes all came as he was returning from injury, tanking his statistics.

Through everything Garland was able to showcase, his ability to be the team’s top facilitator while being the second scoring option has shined bright. Even with his offensive improvements, there are still areas that Garland can improve on with the biggest being his three-point aggression, of which is reportedly being stressed to both him and Sexton even.

Drafted out of Vanderbilt, Garland was known for his Damian Lillard-like shooting, having the ability to get the shot off from anywhere on the court. Though we have seen moments of this, there has been more to be desired when it comes to his shooting.

In his second season, Garland attempted 5.1 threes per game as a starter, and of all guards to start at least 36 games, this ranked behind players like Coby White, Caris LeVert, Lonnie Walker IV and Theo Maledon.

Garland is too good of a shooter to be attempting as little amount of threes that he has. Garland’s best month came in April, a month in which he attempted 6.4 threes a game. This should be the number Garland looks to hit next season and knowing that he can, his scoring should take another leap.

Now, whether or not Garland and Sexton will end up attempting 8 threes per game, as has been reportedly what the Cavs are wanting from both, per Davies, remains to be seen; but the April clip again would be meaningful.