The Cleveland Cavaliers need to get more from Darius Garland, especially in the playoffs.
He’s been mostly good for the team, but he has left plenty to be desired in big moments.
More than that, he’s also struggled with injuries, and availability is often the best of abilities.
With that in mind, Cavs executive Koby Altman took the liberty of comparing him with a fellow All-Star who also struggled with injuries early in his career.
Talking during the team’s Summer League game broadcast, Altman went as far as to compare Garland to Stephen Curry.
He claimed that they want Garland to take a page out of Curry’s book to get stronger and avoid injuries:
“Darius, and again, no one wants to have surgery, no one wants to be injured, this offseason is going to be huge for him. To add that weight we want. That strength. That armor. For him to really become on a different level. I’m not comparing him to Steph [Curry], but Steph, during those Finals, was a different animal than what he is now. He’s so strong. And that’s where we want Darius to get to. We want Darius to add that armor. Stephen Curry is a great example of how you can continue to grow and evolve with your body type, with that skillset. That’s what we want Darius to do. I think this offseason, because he can’t touch a basketball for a couple of months, he’s going to be in that weight room,” Altman said.
There were plenty of doubts about Curry’s durability early in his career.
He seemed to have chronic ankle issues.
He bulked up, signed a deal with Under Armour, and left those issues behind.
Perhaps Garland will also have to consider making an apparel change.
Whatever the case, he will be in the spotlight next season, and not necessarily for the best reasons.
He’s had many injuries since he entered the league, and he has yet to show up in the postseason.
We’ve seen countless talented players leave the NBA without glory because their bodies don’t hold up.
That’s not on them, and no one wants to get hurt.
But Garland needs to do everything he can to put himself in a position to be available when his team needs him, even if that means taking things lightly in the regular season.
NEXT: Cavs Executive Hints At Evan Mobley's New Role Next Season
