The Cleveland Cavaliers have their closer.
As much as some believe he doesn’t have that defining gene, Darius Garland has proved to be an elite clutch scorer this season.
That was the case again in the last outing, as he rose to the occasion vs. the Brooklyn Nets after struggling in the first three quarters of the game.
That’s why, when asked about him, coach Kenny Atkinson had a simple statement to make: Darius Garland is the clutch player of the year.
Truth be told, it’s hard to argue with that statement.
He currently holds the highest field goal percentage in the clutch among players with at least 80 points in those situations (a game within five points in the last five minutes).
Granted, the Cavs haven’t been in that many close games this season.
They’ve dominated their opposition and have won most of their games by double digits.
They haven’t even needed the starters to be out there for the final buzzer, more often than not.
Nevertheless, Garland has stepped up and delivered almost every time the team has needed a timely bucket.
Of course, some will still hold the two missed free throws vs. the Houston Rockets against him, and others will continue to be skeptical about him until they see him perform at a high level in the postseason.
Then again, with his new aggressive mindset and his efficient shooting, he’s definitely someone you want with the ball in his hands when the clock is winding down.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals What Would Be Considered A Failure For Cavs This Season
