Cavs: 3 reasons Darius Garland is guaranteed to have a breakout season

#2: Defensive strides, and him seeing an uptick as far as team impact

Defense is always the name of the game. Like many young and talented basketball stars, the defense is usually a step or two behind the offense. Garland’s not a horrible defender. He certainly improved from year one to two. His steals per game average went from 0.7 to 1.2 a game.

This is a very important step in the breakout possibilities for Garland this next season. If he can get more focused on those defensive stops, force his opponent into bad decision-making, which at times would lead to steals, then we will all be singing Garland’s praises.

I think Garland’s the type of defender that over time, will improve just because he’ll continue to get better because of his talent and continued practice. And if he does those things, he’ll see an uptick as far as his team defensive impact.

#3: “Three-Point Land” is a happy place

This area is one that Garland has steadily improved at when he shoots behind the three-point line. He went from 35.5 percent to 39.5 percent from his first NBA season to the next.

That percent average on the season is similar to the previously mentioned Lillard. He averaged 39 to 40 percent on makes of three-pointers. The big difference between Garland and Lillard is how many three-pointers that each player has launched from deep. Lillard is averaging over ten shots from three-point range over the last two years, whereas Garland is right around five three-point attempts per game.

I believe the Cavs have to build up their three-point shooting abilities, to drive that home. Garland has been willing to launch shots, sometimes in my opinion from way too far out beyond the three-point line. However, that willingness will need to grow even more this next season.

If Garland can work that three-point shooting average up a tad, like over 40 percent on makes and gets that attempts average up to more like seven or eight shots a game from distance then look out folks! A star is born!

And for what it’s worth, Cleveland is reportedly stressing for both Garland and Sexton to increase their triple attempts game-to-game, which is a plus.

Anyway, as I mentioned previously, Garland’s talents will have more of an impact on this Cavs teams’ winning ways in the future. But he’ll need to take a more aggressive approach, at the same time. I like to start with defense always because generally speaking, that’s what wins championships. If that defense of Garland’s can get more steals that will lead to more Cav possessions.

From there, then it comes down to assists and shooting the three-pointer which, when you get down to it, is a very fine line for this team.  You want to see Garland continue to dish the ball to his teammates and spread the wealth, but you also have a player that needs to shoot the ball more, work that points per game average up and nail those deep looks.

If Garland can do that and still be standing by next spring at the end of the regular season, then that breakout season is certainly a guarantee.