Ranking the Cavs’ top 5 players so far this season

Ranking the Cavs’ top 5 players so far this season: #1 – Darius Garland

Ah yes, Darius Garland. The player that was deemed by many as the “worst player in the NBA” just two seasons ago. Well Darius, in the words of Paul Rudd, look at us.

With averages of 19.1 points per game, 7.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 46.7 percent shooting from the field, Garland is hitting career-highs in all of those categories. Through 21 games, he leads the team in points per game, assists per game and threes made. He seems to be making the leap that we thought he was capable of coming into the season.

Collin Sexton is unfortunately not able to share the court with him due to a season-ending meniscus tear that he suffered in November. However, since Sexton has been sidelined, Garland’s production has climbed tremendously given the extra ball-handling opportunities.

In the 12 games of Sexton’s absence, Garland has averaged 21.9 points per game and 7.1 assists on 46.3 percent from the field. The 21-year-old point guard has stepped up in wake of the unfortunate situation at hand.

In the Cavaliers last win against the Wizards, Garland scored 32 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds while shooting 11-for-17 from the field and 5-for-6 from deep. He became the third player in Cavs history to record a line of at least 30 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists before the age of 22. The others? LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

While it hurts to see Sexton on the sideline, I can’t help but marvel at the resilience of Garland and the rest of the team as setbacks continue to come. The third-year player has made exceptional improvements from an already great season last year. He has proven to be more aggressive and more willing to take control of the offense when he needs to. His teammates rely on him to put them in scoring positions, while leaning on him to carry them through clutch situations.

Darius Garland is the outright leader of this Cavs team that most of us consider to be the best since LeBron was drafted. He puts the team in a position to win night in and night out. Without Garland, this season would look a whole lot different.