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If given more minutes, Cavs’ Darius Garland can make impact for Team USA

By Justin Brownlow

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images /
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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Since the United States began using NBA players in the Summer Olympics in 1992, they have compiled a 54-2 record in exhibition games. That was, until this week. After falling to Nigeria 90-87 in their first tune up for the 2020 (2021) Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the United States suffered another set back just Monday night. Damian Lillard poured in 22 points, and Kevin Durant added 17, but it was not enough to get by the tough Australians.

The Australians stunned the United States 91-83. San Antonio Spur Patty Mills led the Boomers in scoring, pouring in 22, with 11 coming in the fourth quarter. As of then, Team USA’s record sat at 54-4 in exhibition games, and the worry is starting to mount about how they will play in the actual Olympics.

Fortunately, the USA did rebound on Tuesday night, beating Argentina 108-80; that brought their exhibition record in the time stated to 55-4. We haven’t seen enough consistent playmaking from the US squad, though.

As a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, it’s tough to sit back and watch Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich not at least try and play a guy like Darius Garland much.

Garland, who was originally selected to the USA Select Team that would practice and scrimmage against the “real” United States team. As KJG’s Dan Gilinsky pointed out, Garland reportedly shined while playing against some of the best players in the world in scrimmaging. He played so well, he was even added to the roster for exhibition games, to go with Detroit Piston Saddiq Bey and Keldon Johnson (San Antonio).

In the first pre-tournament game vs. Nigeria, Garland was used a bit, and registered six minutes on the court while scoring two, and adding in an assist. He did turn the ball over once, but he’s still young so those kind of mistakes will happen. Against the Boomers, DG played only four minutes and didn’t really make an impact on the game.

With that in mind, and the fact that Team USA is struggling mightily right now, why not give Garland more playing time in upcoming exhibitions? He is a great spot-up shooter, and a much more willing passer than most of the guards on the team. Overall, Garland could make an instant impact for Team USA if given more playing time.

On a positive, Garland did play in 10 minutes for the US on Tuesday in their win, but I’d prefer to see more of that sort of thing.