Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has had an incredible season filled with high praise from many people around the league. Garland has been a key cog for the Wine and Gold, en route to the team’s success this year.
The 22-year-old is averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds. However, he received praise from a new player on the team. Someone that is well-known by many. That someone is point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Cavs acquired Rondo in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Denzel Valentine just a few weeks ago. This move was made for playable depth because the Cavs lost guards Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio due to injuries.
Rondo stated the following, via Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal, and it’s clear he’s sold on Garland as an emerging star.
"‘Right now I think he’s the best closer in the game,” Rondo said on Zoom before the Cavs departed for Detroit ahead of Sunday’s game against the Pistons. ‘I’ve played with a lot of talented players. The way he puts the weight on his shoulders, he pretty much has to make every play in the fourth, which he has been doing, especially in that stretch coming from the West Coast trip. I think it’s the best stretch of basketball I’ve seen a point guard play, 21 years old, in those tough environments and coming out with W’s. Every guy he matched up against, so-called All-Stars you want to claim, he busted their ass and he did it with the dub as well.”’"
That was some noteworthy praise from Rondo, who has played with a ton of great players and sees another one in the making it seems in the Cavs’ Garland.
Wow, that was incredible words from a player that has made his mark around the league for many years with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and is now trying to help the Cavaliers continue their winning ways.
Currently, the Cavs hold a 30-19 record and are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Nobody expected the team to be able to make such a mark this late into the season and it’s really showing with players like Garland.
An example of this are the 14 fourth quarter points Garland scored against the San Antonio Spurs that led to his 32 total on the night. The team ended up winning by a score of 114-109, all thanks to the play of the closer, who’s had 4.4 points and 1.7 assists per outing in the fourth quarter as well.
It makes sense that players like Rajon Rondo are taking note.
Moving forward, the Cavs will look to rely on not just the scoring from Garland, but also the passing and overall play on the floor by him. It will help Cleveland make a run towards the playoffs as the season progresses.
Congratulations on the success this season, Darius. Let’s hope it continues not just this year but throughout the future. This is looking to be a career filled with fourth quarters that end in wins.