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Where do Cavs’ Garland and Mitchell rank among NBA’s best backcourts?

By Justin Brownlow

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

They’re only going to get better

I emphasized it a couple of times in this article, but while Mitchell and Garland’s play time together is a small sample size, it is a promising one. Both are still becoming comfortable with each other, and where they need to be on the offensive end. Also, on the defensive end, it’s clear they are getting more aggressive on the perimeter defensively, considering they have two of the best rim-protectors in the league behind them in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

I may be biased, but the Cavalier backcourt is clearly the best in the NBA right now. Taking a look at Kline’s rankings back before the trade, the Cavs have clearly jumped most, if not all of the teams that were ahead of them on the list. The only other comparable backcourt tandem right now is Young and Murray on the Hawks.

While Murray isn’t the scorer that Mitchell or Garland are, his defensive prowess is great, and he plays well off of Trae Young’s playmaking. Other than that, only two other backcourts that compare well to the Cavs are the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.

Clearly the Mavericks are a one-man show in the backcourt, with Luka Doncic having another MVP-caliber season. When it comes to the Warriors, Stephen Curry is out to his usual scorching start, averaging 31 points per game while shooting nearly 42% from three. Unfortunately for Curry, his usual backcourt partner Klay Thompson is slumping a bit to start the season, scoring only 15 points per game, while shooting only 36% from the field. Jordan Poole has also been a bit of a disappointment early as well, shooting only 31% from the field.

When it comes to ranking two teammates in the backcourt, it’s pretty hard to argue for anyone but the Cavaliers. The scariest part about it is that they only look like they will get better on offense and defense. It’s only a matter of time before the entire starting unit starts looking like one of the league’s best.

Next. MVP Watch: Where does Cavs' Donovan Mitchell rank among stars?. dark

And it’s crazy how in only two short months, the Cavs and their front office have turned this young team into a real title contender.