The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a top-tier team all year long.
A lot of that has had to do with their depth and how the role players have stepped up.
However, things usually come down to whether the top guys can show up in the playoffs.
That’s why there will be a heavy burden on Darius Garland’s shoulders in the next couple of weeks.
As good a player as he is, there have always been doubts about his ability to withstand physical defense.
Notably, that’s why he knows that he will have to be more of a bruiser and play through contact in the first round vs. the Miami Heat:
“I go out there and be myself, have a lot of confidence, go play with some physicality, go play with some toughness,” Garland said. “Try to be as physical as much as I can though I know Miami has always been a physical team, they like to get up in you, so try to deliver some blows back and go have fun. I mean this is the best part of the year. It’s the most important part of the year, so just go out there, have fun, lead my guys and go win the series.”
The Heat aren’t nearly as talented as the Cavs.
Then again, they’re a savvy team with plenty of playoff experience and have one of the best tacticians in the game.
They will most likely try to slow the pace down and make this an old-school, bruising kind of series.
The Cavs can’t afford to let them take the game to their turf, and if they do, they will have to step up and prove that they won’t be bullied or manhandled.
Garland was one of the best scorers in the clutch this season, turning the narrative around about him in the regular season.
Nevertheless, it can all change for the worse if he fails to be at his best when it matters the most.
As great a team as the Cavs are, plenty of people still believe they’re a fluke.
It’ll be up to Garland and the rest of the squad to prove them wrong.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Why Cavs Should Have No Trouble With Heat
