Making the case for Cavs’ Darius Garland as NBA’s Most Improved Player
After their win Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Bucks reserves, the Cleveland Cavaliers locked up the 8 seed in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
A major reason why the Cavaliers improved their win total from 22 a season ago to 44 wins this year was the play of third-year point guard Darius Garland.
During the 2020-2021 season, Garland scored 17.4 points, dished out 6.1 assists, and connected on nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts per game. Toward the end of last season, Garland showed flashes of potential, as he averaged 20.5 points, 7.3 assists, and shot 38.5 percent from beyond the arc in March of 2021.
As this season got underway, Garland only averaged 13.4 points in October, but his court vision was improved as Garland dished out 8.2 assists per game.
Garland taking a leap this season was vital to the Cavaliers success, and more pressure was thrust on his shoulders once Cleveland lost Collin Sexton for the season due to a knee injury.
While Garland showed he was more than capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, his chemistry with big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen got better with every game that passed.
His ability to draw defenders in and then throw a lob pass to one of the Wine and Gold’s big men made the Cavaliers offense that much tougher to defend. Garland averaged roughly 20 points per game during November and December.
By January, not only was Garland averaging 20 points per game, but he was also dishing out 10 assists per contest as the Cavaliers closed the month with an 8-2 record.
Garland did miss all but three of the Cavaliers games in February, and despite dealing with back issues, the Cavaliers budding star managed to get selected to his first All-Star game and put on a show for the fans all weekend.
Through the All-Star game, Garland’s season was already a massive success. However, he took his game to an even greater level in March and needed to with the loss of Allen, the Cavaliers other All-Star.
In 15 March games, Garland scored 25 points per game, including a career-best 41 points at the Indiana Pacers. Garland’s passing ability also was on full display as he recorded at least 10 assists in 11 games, including a 19-assist game at the Philadelphia 76ers and a 17-assist game against the Los Angeles Lakers. For the month, Garland averaged 10.7 assists per contest.
Garland’s three-point shot wasn’t always consistent this season, but he connected on 45.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc over the last 10 games. While Garland doesn’t have unlimited range (yet), his ability to hit the long-range three-point shot only makes him more of a nightmare for opposing teams. And throughout the season, in general, he’s taken his game to another level compared to his last year, even, and he looks to be just scratching the surface.
Garland has been tremendous for the Cavs this season, and looks to have a compelling case for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
The injuries to Garland caused him to miss 14 games, as an aside, but in 68 games, Garland’s final numbers this season show tangible improvement, and he’s ascended to All-Star level. Darius scored 21.8 points and dished out 8.6 assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 38 percent from behind the three-point line.
A few other players that could be in the mix for the Most Improved Player award are Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs, Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets, and Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies, who is seemingly the clear favorite to win the award. Others could potentially be in the mix, too, for what it’s worth.
Regardless of whether Garland wins the award, his improvement cannot be understated. This season, Garland turned into a dynamic playmaker who can make big shots and has done an excellent job of getting his teammates involved.
One of Garland’s best attributes is the constant positive attitude he displays on the floor, and that attitude is infectious as the Cavs have remarkable team chemistry.
After many questioned the selection of Garland just a few years ago, he is blossoming into a true star in the NBA at just 22 years old and is a key reason why the Cavs are going to be competing for a playoff spot (and hopefully more) for the foreseeable future.
Next. 3 reasons Mobley should win the ROY award. dark
And he has a legit MIP case this year with how his individual play has been, and how he’s been a huge reason for the Cavaliers’ turnaround.