3 takeaways from Week 2 of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball

The same way Jarrett Allen elevates Evan Mobley’s game, Darius Garland elevates Donovan Mitchell’s, and the entire Cavs offense as well. Garland is one of the best true point guards in the NBA today, and his court vision and dynamic playmaking is what makes this Cavs offense go.

Garland was the only player in the league last season to average 20 points, seven assists, and shoot 40 percent from three. That is how efficient he is. Whenever he is out of the game, or is missing the game in its entirety, the Cavs offense stagnates at times.

As great as Mitchell is, he does not bring the playmaking Garland brings. When Garland is out, Mitchell has a lot more on his plate. He becomes focused on carrying the scoring burden, and while he playmakes too, the Cavs offense just becomes too isolation heavy.

With Garland on the court, there is a lot more movement, and flow to the offense, as his shifty handle, and ability to manipulate the defense with his passing elevates the offense. An assertive DG is a dangerous one, and once he finds his rhythm, expect that to correlate in the Cavaliers winning more games in the near future.