How Cavs All-Star Darius Garland found his way in the NBA
How Cavs All-Star Darius Garland found his way in the NBA
Darius Garland will represent the team at this weekend’s
"It's not LeBron coming back, and it's not a team trading for some big star. This is a homegrown team, and Garland is the key."
Terry PlutoThen, Garland's rookie season didn't go well.
“He looked clunky to me, and kind of slow. You could see he had a nice-looking shot, but he didn’t seem to know where to get it," Pluto said.
Garland averaged about 12 points per game his rookie season.
“He was like a gigantic bust-out. It was a big warning sign that if this guy could turn around become a rotation player off the bench, that would be progress,” Pluto said.
Garland's progress was also stalled by the pandemic, which brought the season to a halt in March of 2020. The Cavs were left out of the NBA's restart in the bubble in Orlando.
"A legitimate NBA starter"
Pluto said Garland put in a lot of work to get ready for his second season. "That summer he got stronger, and the knee got better," Pluto said.Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Goes for 30 points in loss
Garland delivered 30 points (12-22 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 124-116 loss to the Hawks.
Though back issues have kept Garland from playing in five of the Cavaliers' last eight games, he's looked every bit deserving of his first All-Star nod during the three games in which he's suited up during that stretch. In those contests, Garland is averaging 28.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 triples while shooting 58.3 percent from the field.
Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Full participant at practice
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Garland (back) was a full participant during Monday's practice, Evan Dammarell of WKYC 3 News Cleveland reports.
Garland has been sidelined for four of his last six contests due to back soreness, but it's a positive sign to see the All-Star guard able to fully participate in practice and assures fantasy owners that he'll likely be available for back-to-back games for the first time since he started dealing with the back issue. He's scored 27 points in both games he's played in since the injury, but he also committed six turnovers in each of those contests.
Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Scores team-high 27 points in loss
Garland produced 27 points (11-23 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 35 minutes during Saturday's 103-93 loss to the 76ers.
Garland returned to action, pacing the Cavaliers with 27 points as they fell to the 76ers. It was a rough night for the team, although given their season so far, it feels like nothing more than a small bump in the road. Garland will be suiting up for his first All-Star game next weekend, just rewards for what has been a phenomenal season. Despite the recent addition of Caris LeVert, Garland should remain the primary ball-handler and he should be viewed as an elite guard option across all fantasy formats moving forward.
Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Available Saturday
Garland (back) is available for Saturday's matchup against the 76ers.
Garland is back following a one-game absence, which figures to push Caris LeVert back to the bench. Over his past 11 appearances, Garland has averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals.
Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Probable Saturday
Garland (back) is probable for Saturday's game against the 76ers.
Garland was unavailable for Friday's matchup against Indiana, but it appears as though he'll be able to return for the second half of the back-to-back set. He logged 27 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal in 30 minutes in his return from a four-game absence Wednesday against the Spurs.
Cavaliers' Darius Garland: Won't play Friday
Garland (back) is unavailable for Friday's game at Indiana.
Garland returned from a four-game absence Wednesday against the Spurs and put up 27 points (12-15 FG, 3-3 3Pt), six assists, five rebounds and one steal across 30 minutes, but he won't take the court for the front half of the back-to-back set Friday. The 22-year-old could return to action for Saturday's matchup at Philadelphia. Rajon Rondo and Brandon Goodwin should see more of the work at the point in his absence, though newcomer Caris LeVert could also see extra usage.
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