Remember the days when Darius Garland was statistically the worst player in the NBA? All the talk about why the Cleveland Cavaliers took another guard with Collin Sexton in the fold? What about him being labeled as a bust? Blah, blah, blah. That has all turned out to be a bunch of nonsense.
Since his rookie season, Garland has done nothing but improve. From his All-Star season in 2022 to being the only player in the league last season to average 20 points per game, seven assists per game, and shoot 40 percent from three, he has asserted himself as a top guard in the NBA. However, Garland is only scratching the surface of how good he can be.
If the Cavs want to take another step towards contention, Garland needs to continue his ascension as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Here are three goals Garland should have this season.
In 2022, Garland broke out, and was one of the Cavs’ two All-Star representatives, joining center Jarrett Allen. During that season, Garland averaged about 22 points per game, and about nine assists on 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from the field. He was a huge reason why the Cavs made the Play-In Tournament and improved their win total from 22 to 44, leading to a Play-In berth.
Last season, his numbers stayed about the same, and as was said before, he was the only player in the league to average 20 PPG, seven APG, and shoot 40 percent from three. However, Garland did not make the All-Star team, as Cleveland’s only All-Star representative was Donovan Mitchell.
Garland arguably should have made it over now Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, as Garland averaged more points, assists, and shot a higher percentage from three-point range. But, this season, I expect Garland’s numbers to improve further, leading to another All-Star appearance. Albeit a small sample size, the Cavaliers offense in the preseason looks much more diversified than it was last season, especially when it comes to movement, as the team has reportedly emphasized.
Garland has much more space to operate as a playmaker, and has had more open looks as a result. Expect that to yield another season filled with All-Star numbers.
Garland finished seventh in assists last season, averaging 7.8 per game. This was just 0.3 assists away from the fifth place finisher, Ja Morant. The season before, Garland averaged 8.6 assists, good enough for sixth in the league. He has been on the doorstep for the last couple of seasons, and the goal should be to finally break through as a playmaker for the Wine and Gold.
As was noted before, Cleveland’s offense looks much different in the preseason, and while it is a very small sample size, the offense should be better than last season. There is a lot more off-ball movement, and cutting that will lead to Garland creating great looks for those around him.
With the additions of two certified snipers in Max Strus and Georges Niang, shooting is no longer an issue. Gone are the dreadful days of last season, by comparison, in which Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens were open in the corner, often by design from opposing defenses.
When Garland drives and kicks, there is a good chance the open look will be knocked down. Another season playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley and continuing to develop that chemistry with them will help as well.
At times last season, it felt like the Cavs had a your turn, my turn offense with Donovan Mitchell and Garland. Whenever one of them was hot, the other would immediately differ. I am all for feeding the hot hand, but sometimes you need to get yours, and Garland struggled with that last season.
In games with Mitchell last season, Garland averaged 20 points and seven assists per game. In games without Mitchell, he averaged 26 points per game and nine assists. There were also games where Garland was not nearly as aggressive, and was way too passive.
One game that stands out is Game 1 against the New York Knicks last postseason. Garland shot the ball only 13 times, leading to 17 points. He shot over 50 percent, and yes Mitchell was the hot hand in that game, but Garland also has to look for his shot to keep the pressure on the defense. He has gifted ball handling and separation skills. He HAS to use them for scoring, not just playmaking.
Garland has completely changed the narrative around his Cavaliers career after his rookie year. He has improved every year.
Now, if the Cavs want to achieve their contender aspirations, DG the PG must continue his ascension.