We have been very critical of Darius Garland’s playoff performances each of the last two seasons. Opponents were physical with him, and he responded by not being very careful with the basketball.
In 2022-23 Garland averaged 21.6 points in the regular season with 7.8 assists and 2.9 turnovers. In the playoffs, his scoring was comparable at 20.6, but the assists were down to 5 per night while turning it over 3.6 times per game.
Last year, we knew Garland battled injuries all season long. His scoring dropped to 18 points per contest, and his assists were down to 6.5 and his turnovers up to 3.1.
In the series against Orlando and Boston, Garland’s scoring fell to just 15.7 points with 5.8 assists. His turnovers did improve to just 2.3 per game.
We have wondered if the Cavs can get to where they want to be, champions, with a smaller backcourt of Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
The way Garland has stepped up his play this season, we are now anxious the see this guard tandem in the post-season.
Since Garland has been with the Cavs for six seasons, it’s hard to realize he’s still only 25 years old. He concentrated on getting stronger and so far, the results are tremendous.
Like most of the Cavaliers, his minutes are down (33.5 for his career, just 30.2 this season), but his scoring is comparable to his best seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 when he averaged about 21 and a half per night. He’s at 20.9 this season.
His shooting has never been better, hitting a career best 49.8% from the floor and 42.9% from three, also his best mark as a pro. His assists are down from his highest mark of 8.6 per game in his third year in the league, but he’s still dishing out 6.7 helpers, while his turnovers are at a career low of 2.4.
Better shot selection for Garland, as well as his assist numbers being down are both the result of Kenny Atkinson’s offensive scheme with players and the ball moving quickly. And credit Garland for flourishing in the attack.
No doubt, the proof will come in the playoffs. The way the Cavs’ offense runs, they aren’t depending on just one player initiating it, sometimes it’s Garland, at times Mitchell, and we’ve even seen Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen being asked to do it.
That will likely mean the trapping Garland saw from the Knicks in the first-round loss won’t occur often in this playoff year.
We are sure teams will attack Garland on the defensive end of the floor, which isn’t a new strategy. Heck, the Cavs used it in the 2016 Finals when they repeatedly targeted Stephen Curry. Can the improved offense of Garland make that a strategy that doesn’t pay off the way opponents think it will.
Atkinson has challenged him in certain game, most notably the second match up vs. Boston when he told Garland he had to rise to the challenge of guarding Jayson Tatum.
Good health, maturity, and a new offense have guided Darius Garland to his best season, without a doubt. Hopefully, it pays off in April, May, and hopefully June.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 