3 big questions for surging Cavs team ready to battle the Bucks

#1: Are both Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen All-Stars?

Boy, it sure looks that way. Both Garland and Jarrett Allen are having career seasons 24 games into the year, and they certainly don’t look like they’ll be cooling off anytime soon. After I gave Allen a bit of hard time in a previous article I wrote early on in the season where his production and efforts seemed a bit off, he has gone off the charts with his energy and his talents have been on full display for all of the NBA to take notice.

The big man, who used to play for the Texas Longhorns a while back, scored another double-double, his 13th on the season. He recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds Sunday in the loss to Utah. He actually has recorded seven double-doubles in a row and also scored 25 points or more in three games during that stretch. For the year he’s averaging 17 points and 11 boards. His presence around the rim defensively is helping scare opponents from trying to work into the lane.

These types of numbers for Allen are all career-bests and it doesn’t seem like there will much of a drop off.

Darius Garland is emerging as not only one of the best point guards in the NBA but he’s becoming a deadly scorer too. He finished with 31 points on Sunday. That included going 5-for-8 from long distance. The last missed three-pointer was just off that would have won the game against the Jazz. His season scoring average has ballooned to nearly 20 points a game. He is still dishing out an impressive seven assists a game as well.

In the game down in Miami Garland tallied 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Where have we seen triple-doubles from a former Cavalier great? Oh, that’s right a one LeBron James. Garland is certainly not James, but his game on a nightly basis is taking on a different feel and his confidence is growing. You can also see the game slowing down for him and that is creating problems for his opponents.

His ability to either get into the lane and make a tear drop shot or give a lob pass to one of his big men like Jarrett Allen are keeping teams on their toes and usually having them make mistakes as Garland shreds their defenses.

Cleveland’s disadvantage over the years with All-Star games has been the teams have been terrible. This year, with the game in Cleveland and this team playing tough and winning I’d definitely look for Allen and Garland to be representing the Cavs.