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The Case for the Cavaliers to Have Two All-Stars in the Backcourt
Cleveland Cavaliers: A Backcourt to Be Reckoned With
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a remarkable run, aiming for their 14th consecutive win. A significant factor in this success is their formidable backcourt, which I believe ranks among the top three in the NBA. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been instrumental in this streak, showcasing their skills and synergy on the court.
Darius Garland’s Stellar Performance
Darius Garland is playing the best basketball of his career. His performance this season surpasses even his All-Star year, demonstrating growth in clutch situations, shooting accuracy, and ball handling. Garland’s shot selection has improved, and his ability to maintain composure in high-pressure moments has been a game-changer for the Cavaliers. His stats per 36 minutes are impressive, with nearly 25 points and 8 assists per game, and his shooting splits are close to the coveted 50-40-90 mark. This level of play is a testament to his hard work and dedication, making him a key player in the Cavaliers’ success.
Donovan Mitchell’s Impact
Donovan Mitchell continues to be a powerhouse, contributing significantly to the team’s victories. Although he hasn’t reached his full potential yet, Mitchell remains an All-Star caliber player. His ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates has been crucial. Despite playing fewer minutes this season, Mitchell’s per 36-minute stats are outstanding, averaging almost 28 points. This efficiency highlights his impact on the game, even with reduced playing time.
The combination of Garland and Mitchell creates a dynamic duo that is hard to match. While other teams like Dallas and Oklahoma City have strong backcourts, the Cavaliers’ pairing stands out in the Eastern Conference. Garland’s resurgence from a challenging previous season and Mitchell’s consistent excellence make them a formidable force.
Max Strus and the Cavaliers’ Future
Looking ahead, the return of Max Strus is anticipated to enhance the Cavaliers’ performance further. Strus’s off-ball movement and defensive skills will add depth to the team. His ability to connect plays and create opportunities will be invaluable. The challenge will be integrating Strus into the rotation without disrupting the current chemistry. However, his presence is expected to elevate the team’s overall performance.
The Cavaliers’ success is not just about individual brilliance but also about teamwork and strategic play. The synergy between Garland and Mitchell, combined with the potential addition of Strus, positions the Cavaliers as a strong contender in the league. Their ability to adapt and excel under pressure is a testament to their resilience and skill.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
- The impact of the Cavaliers’ grueling schedule on player performance
- Analysis of the Cavaliers’ upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls
- Discussion on the potential All-Star candidacy of Garland and Mitchell
- Insights into the Cavaliers’ offensive strategies and cutting techniques
- Updates on the Cavaliers’ injury report and player rotations
I held off on writing about the apparent rash, or rise, of early-season athlete injuries because there’s always some recency bias involved when the subject comes up. Are there really more injuries this year than any other? Do we have the data to support it? Is there a new, underlying cause? Or are injuries due to the same compounding mix of bad luck and the NBA’s 82-game schedule running into a long postseason, running into the offseason, running back into a brand new long regular season and the erosion of bodies this eventually leads to?
A report early this week showed early-season injuries were up 35%, and indeed ESPN’s list of injuries, at a glance, looks like a ferocious Christmas tree, lit up in blazing reds and yellows. A handful of teams (the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Raptors) are cobbling together rosters game-to-game depending on who’s still healthy. TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott ran a draft of the injured list this week and each team reads like an All-Star squad on steroids, and when Abbott printed out the league’s official injury report it was 10 pages long.
Injuries are definitely up — but why?
The Paris Olympics proved extra playing time for a few top-tier stars, but most of them remain healthy. The early season schedule hasn’t served up any more back-to-backs to longer road game stretches, which tend to be more gruelling on athletes, than usual. However, when everything appears to be normal and the bodily price is anything but, perhaps it’s time to examine that “normal”.
The NBA’s current schedule of 82 games was adopted in 1967. Already, I’m sure your brain is picturing black and white basketball, that’s good. When you picture that grainy, glitchy footage, how fast is it going? The reality is that the game used to be a lot slower. Not just in its mechanics (think of an offensive passing sequence, the ball flipping from set of hands to hands at a speed that can be hard to follow), but the athleticism too. Bodies were moving slower. The game was still physical — the trope of players from the 80s and 90s complaining about the “softness” of current athletes is a trope for a reason — but full tilt sprinting, cutting, complex rotations, these weren’t the norm. Given that, the bodily mechanics were different. Guys weren’t stopping on a dime, pivoting hard, having to force their ligaments and muscles and bones into exacting motions with all sorts of volatile force behind them.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Rumor Shaq didn’t hold back, throwing shade at the Cavs and Kenny Atkinson in a recent interview. His candid remarks have sparked quite the conversation. (SI)
Fans Cavaliers swingman Isaac Okoro paid tribute to a viral offseason moment with his new shoes, adding a personal touch fans are loving. (SI)
Preview The Chicago Bulls will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
This week in the fantasy basketball world has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. A major talking point has been Chet Holmgren’s unfortunate injury, which has fantasy managers scrambling for replacements as the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust with potential lineup changes. Keep an eye on players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace — who might see increased minutes — and consider them as temporary pickups in deeper leagues.
Garland has been a big reason why the Cavaliers have been the NBA’s best team. His numbers in the clutch have been outstanding for Cleveland this year.
Finding a Way Against the Brooklyn Nets The Cavs didn’t look great on Saturday, struggling on the second night of a back-to-back. Despite trailing by more than 10 points in the second half, the Cavs found a way to win thanks to key adjustments by Kenny Atkinson.
Darius Garland is having the best season of his career and Donovan Mitchell has been fantastic as well. What exactly needs to continue for the Cavs to have both of them start the All-Star game?
