The Cleveland Cavaliers came into Friday with the NBA’s best record at 36-7, and there has been a growing feeling that they’re legitimate championship contenders despite still being a rather young team.
Rather than relying heavily on star guard Donovan Mitchell, as they did during the previous two seasons, they’re winning with a more balanced attack, and that balanced attack is one reason they lead the league in offensive rating.
Darius Garland, Mitchell’s starting backcourt mate, has elevated his game this season, both in terms of scoring output and shooting efficiency, but some may feel he isn’t getting the type of respect someone with his numbers should be getting.
Dan Devine said on 92.3 The Fan that for Garland to receive that type of respect, he will have to play well come playoff time.
"Because his game is so smooth…little bit harder to get the eyeballs on it. He's doing his job. It's just going to come down to whether that can happen in April, May and June."
📞@YourManDevine on @afternoon923FAN on #Cavs PG Darius Garland
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/z2B34aQUQg pic.twitter.com/DiHhoDoxIW
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) January 24, 2025
Coming into Friday, Garland was averaging 21.2 points and 6.7 assists a game while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range.
While he has never before shot such a high percentage either overall or from downtown, he has a history of not being efficient in the playoffs.
In two playoff appearances, he has made just 43.0 percent of his shot attempts, and he particularly struggled in last spring’s postseason, especially against the Boston Celtics in the second round.
Obviously, the playoffs will be the true testing ground for a Cavs team that was a solid playoff team the previous two seasons and has now apparently taken a big step forward.
If they are to play into the summertime, Garland will have to maintain the excellent level of play he has been at so far this fall and winter.
NEXT: Analyst Notes A Tough Stretch Coming Up For Cavs With Schedule
