Cavs: 3 crucial keys to Darius Garland winning Most Improved in 2021-22

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Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images /

Cavs: 3 crucial keys to Darius Garland winning Most Improved – Be acknowledged as a better player than Collin Sexton

Darius Garland plays in a backcourt alongside another talented young guard, Collin Sexton, who made a leap himself last year and leads this team in shots.

Garland doesn’t necessarily need to pass Sexton in shots or even scoring average, but he needs to be widely acknowledged as a better player than Sexton. Otherwise, it will be difficult to gain votes from those who didn’t pick Sexton last year.

There is absolutely a path to that, and it involves passing and defense. Garland showed last year that he could capably run an offense, and now he has to show he’s more than just capable. Better offensive talent around him this season should only help him.

The other area is more difficult, but involves defense. Both Garland and Sexton are small guards who struggle on defense. Garland has very quick hands, and if he can increase his steal totals while demonstrating both on tape and via advanced stats that he is improved as a defender, and improved past Sexton, it will go a long way towards establishing his candidacy and drawing in voters despite a likely poor record for the team overall.