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Cavs: 3 bold predictions for Darius Garland’s 2021-22 season

By Matthew Fagan

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland brings the ball up the floor. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland brings the ball up the floor. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland reacts in-game. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Bold prediction #3: Garland wins the 2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player award

For the final bold prediction of Darius Garland’s upcoming season, I predict the Cavs guard will win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award for 2021-22. With Cleveland’s roster full of young talent, there are many guys for the Wine and Gold that could make that next leap forward. However none stand out as much as Garland.

It is no secret that Cleveland values their young starting point guard, and looking at his trajectory as a player it is not hard to see why. As a rookie Garland averaged 12.3 points per game, with 3.9 assists per game. His second year in the league, the Cavs guard had already increased those numbers to an impressive degree, with an average of 17.4 points per game, and 6.1 assists, as we touched on.

If Garland can continue to build on his game like he did in this previous year, then that Most Improved hardware is, while it’d be quite a bold prediction to come to fruition, a possibility.

Our other two bold predictions for Garland lend themselves nicely to him potentially winning MIP. If Garland can reach his potential as a shooter that Cleveland envisions for him, it will elevate his presence across the league. Garland himself seemingly knows he has not reached his potential as a player.

In a world of Ja Morant’s, Trae Young’s, and LaMelo Ball’s, Garland needs to make himself known. Leading the Cavs in scoring at 40.0-plus-percent from three would be key in that.

As would continuing to lead his team in assists. Garland is the primary playmaker for this young Cavaliers team. With two years under his belt already, he has been positioned to be the leader for this Wine & Gold offense. Being a leader on a rebuilding team is a unique task, especially for a 21-year-old in the NBA.

Next. Cavs: 3 bold predictions for Sexton in 2021-22. dark

But if Garland can take this Cavs squad into the postseason as the number one scorer and facilitator, his name will be in strong contention for that Most Improved designation. Garland will unequivocally be looked to as a leader for this young and hungry Cavs roster, also in that case, and is seemingly so already.