1 realistic and 1 lofty expectation for Cavs’ Darius Garland in 2022-23

One lofty expectation: Be named to one of the All-NBA teams

Is Darius Garland really capable of being one of the best 15 players in the NBA in 2022-23? Personally I think it’s possible, but it’s also why the expectation is a lofty one.

Garland dazzled last season hitting mid-range jumpers, three-pointers, all while finishing at the rim. However, outside of his scoring threat, Garland isn’t the best defender, and has good playmaking skills, but not great in my opinion at this point. Being selected to one of the three All-NBA teams, means you are one of the best players in the league, let alone the world. So why not reach for the stars this coming season?

To look at how Garland can pull this off, all you need to do is watch Trae Young’s performance at the end of the 2020-21 season.

After taking out the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, Young and the Atlanta Hawks bounced the Philadelphia 76ers before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. Young was one of the main reasons behind this explosion from Atlanta. He can hit shots from anywhere, and he’s an excellent playmaker. Unfortunately, on the defensive end he’s pretty much a ghost.

Regardless, after the 2021 postseason, he rolled that momentum into this past season, and it paid off as he was named to the All-NBA Third Team for his play in 2021-22.

DG can score in so many different ways, it’s hard to describe at times. But, after signing a huge rookie max contract extension this summer, the pressure on him to lead the Cavaliers to the actual playoffs will be fierce.

However, judging from Garland’s laid-back personality, his relentless energy and his love for hoops, making an All-NBA team is not that far-fetched.