Cavs Player Grades: Darius Garland earned top marks

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Darius Garland (right) and Lamar Stevens, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cavs Player Grades: Overall

Something else that Darius Garland brought to the team were leadership intangibles, stepping up more and more as the season went on to lead this team. He did so on the court as the point guard and off the court as arguably this team’s best player this season.

That is a major step forward for a player who took a back seat last year to Collin Sexton. Garland improved substantially this season, showcasing a better shot, better handle and overall better floor game. He was not a throw-in but rather a deserving All-Star this season and won’t turn 23 until 2023.

Garland has become irreplaceable for this team, the only reliable shot creator and playmaker. Perhaps Caris LeVert or Collin Sexton can become that next season to help share the load, but this past season it quickly became apparent that this was Garland’s show to run, and he did so incredibly well given his age and experience level.

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The future is bright for this entire Cavaliers team, but especially so for Darius Garland. Even with young guards breaking out all over the year Garland is not one to get lost in the shadows; he is ready to shine. An All-Star season this year could parlay into a long career of excellence.

Grade: A-