No team has exceeded expectations this season more than the Cavaliers, and Darius Garland is enjoying the recognition that has come along with it, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Cleveland entered the season with hopes of qualifying for the playoffs, but is currently in third place in the East at 30-19.
The Cavs picked up a signature win this week over the defending champion Bucks and have already recorded victories over the Bulls, Heat and Nets, who are also fighting for the top spot in the East. Garland said the narrative surrounding the franchise has started to change.
“That was a little appetizer,” Garland said of the Milwaukee game. “Long way to go. But yeah, that was a big win for us. Think we put the whole league on notice after that win. We play with confidence. We play really hard. It shows that we’re not any slouch. You can’t just come to Cleveland and roll over us. Gotta come in and compete at a high level just like you do with any other team — Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Lakers.”
There’s more from Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers could use another playmaker and shooter, along with more help on the wing, Fedor adds in the same story. They’re willing to part with this year’s first-round pick, but they’ll be careful not to exceed the luxury tax or risk messing up team chemistry. “We’ve had a lot of conversations about that,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We know how fragile chemistry is and how quickly it can be bothered. This is a very important time for our team, an opportunity — if they’re there — to improve itself, but also an opportunity to not feel rushed to do something that could impact the chemistry we’ve built. Our front office has a heavy understanding of how important that is.”
- Guard Collin Sexton rejoined his teammates this week for the first time since season-ending meniscus surgery, per Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland. He was doing rehab work in Georgia after undergoing the operation in November. “It’s an everyday process,” Sexton said. “I’ve been getting after it every day of the week and just continuing to progress and just continue to stay mentally, physically locked in and do as much as possible that I can and not try to rush anything, just continue to be patient every day. Patience is tough when you’re injured.”
- The Cavaliers haven’t had an All-Star since LeBron James left, but Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com argues that Garland and Jarrett Allen both deserve recognition this season.
Garland can be dismissive… I am glad he got some success in Cleveland, so he plans to play out his career here.
I really wanted the Bulls to either trade up from #7 to get Garland, or trade back a little and snag Tyler Herro in that 2019 Draft.
I’ll be honest though, I never thought Herro would become a walking bucket and be a 20ppg nightly scorer..
They ended up staying put and drafted Coby White, who has shown some serious flashes, but any high level of consistency has avoided him thus far. Whether it is making plays for others as a starting PG, or being a real sparkplug off the bench and scoring 15-20 fairly consistently..
His court vision seems to come and go, along with his shot, and at first he was a matador on defense.
However, I will give White alot of credit for the steps forward he’s taken defensively this year. He’s looked like a completely different player with his perimeter and team defense this year. Now, if he could get his shot to fall more consistently then he’d be the perfect compliment to this roster the Bulls need!!
One thing I do know, if the Bulls are to make any relative run in the playoffs White is going to have to step up his game and alongside Ayo lead that 2nd unit!!
Garland should be picked as an all star. He’s having a nice year.
Cavs are building a dynasty
They definitely are not building a dynasty.
If you don’t think they are building a dynasty then stop watching basketball all together and turn to figure skating bc you definitely don’t know anything about basketball from your comment, ya moron
Sexton needs to stay with the Cavs. He’s a bucket machine and no one works harder than that cat to be better. Also, not in this article, but Fedor seems sort of flippant about Occorro being traded…. He’s an elite defender. And his O has improved. I don’t think the Cavs should trade those two unless it’s an all star game changer bc these two have a great future ahead.
What they do need is a PG that can set the D and O like a Schroeder (sp?) who is a very solid player and could help the Celtics cut salary. NOT one of the big 2 of Celtics. IMHO
They also need a wing scorer like a Lavert or a E Gordon. These players I’ve mentioned are very accessible for the Cavs if their minds are in the mindset of the Cavs. I don’t know how you tell that and leave it up to Kori Altman.
Sorry about my misspellings as my late night pain meds are setting in real good. LOL