Cavs backcourt was wildly misplaced, among others, in Sixer Sense rank

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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Cavs have a top-10 backcourt

If you look at the top of the list, there really isn’t much debating. It’s pretty unmistakable that the Warriors, Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies all have superstar players at one position, and stars at the other. The Atlanta Hawks also now join an elite group at the top after acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Spurs this offseason. Although, outside of the top five there is a debate to be had.

This past season Darius Garland averaged 21.7 points per game and dished out 8.6 assists per night. His scoring average was ranked ninth among NBA point guards, but the most surprising statistic was him finishing fourth among point guards with his assist average. Garland was a much better facilitator when Jarrett Allen went down to an injury in the second half of the season.

It was something that needed to happen, because without their third-leading scorer Garland needed to create offense for everyone, and he did so very well. That should bode very well for him going into this season, which in turn, will only help LeVert.

LeVert has averaged 14.6 points per game during his seven-year NBA career. However, since his third year in the league in 2017-2018, he has averaged at least 17 points per game every season he’s been in the NBA, minus this past year, where he was still trying to get acclimated to a new team in Cleveland.

I would expect him to average at least 15 this season as long as he stays healthy. If LeVert is anything he’s consistent no matter who he plays for in the overall sense as a scorer. Like I said his averaged has hovered around 17 points for his entire career, and he’s never shot below 42.5% from the field either.

The only spot where you pick out some issues is one the defensive end. But, I would argue that Garland isn’t a terrible defender he just needs to put more effort into it. As for LeVert, there were points last year that he was great on the perimeter, though he also had a fair share of bad moments.

Both guards should be excited to defend, and harass opposing ball-handlers, considering they know that they have the best rim protection in the NBA defending the paint.