Clevenger's Victory Hinges on Garland's Resilience Yet Again
The Triumphant Struggle of Darius Garland
Last year, during the NBA All-Star break, things were tough for Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland. He had a speechless, wired-shut mouth recovering from a broken jaw, and his play on the court was muted compared to the NBA's expectations.
2023-24 wasn't much better, as Garland posted his worst scoring average and field goal percentage since his rookie year. The Cavs took a step back too, winning only 48 games after achieving 51 the year prior. In the playoffs, a still-hobbling Garland struggled mightily, and the team was eliminated in the second round by the Boston Celtics.
Answers to big-picture questions seemed elusive. Had Garland's previous All-Star form been permanently lost to injuries? Was there a clash with backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell? Had the team reached a ceiling?
Fast forward to the next season, and the answers started to surface. Garland earned a second All-Star selection and thrived alongside Mitchell. The duo led the Cavaliers to their second-highest win total in franchise history, securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
"I'm super proud of staying with the process and believing in the process," Garland told NBC News before the playoffs.
The process has been far from smooth for Garland and the Cavs. After all, their 2022 All-Star season ended in the play-in tournament, and acquisitions and expectations were raised when Mitchell joined the team. But in Mitchell's first year, Cleveland lost to the New York Knicks in the first round. And last offseason, there were rumors about Garland's desire to part ways with his co-star.
Instead of asking out, Garland sought out Mitchell. Determined to understand Mitchell's preferences and find his role within the offense, Garland spent hours studying Stephen Curry's tape and tailoring his movements without the ball to put pressure on defenses.
The result was a new level of success for the Cavaliers. They posted a 9.2 net rating during the regular season, their best mark since 2009. And Garland fine-tuned his role in the backcourt, trading off some scoring duties with Mitchell for more efficient play.
Midway through the playoffs, however, Garland hit another injury-related roadblock. A toe injury knocked him out of the final games against the Miami Heat and the first two games against the Indiana Pacers.
Could Garland come back and claim the loudest victory of his career despite these obstacles?
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As the series with the Pacers took a 0-2 turn, the pressure was on Garland to recapture his All-Star form and overcome his latest setback. His journey was a testament to resiliency, determination, and the power of collaboration on the basketball court.
Sources:
- [ESPN] (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35020440/how-darius-garland-donovan-mitchell-turned-cleveland-cavaliers-contenders)
- [Cleveland.com] (https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/04/darius_garland_has_nowhere_to_g.html)
- [Fox Sports] (https://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/2022-23-nba-playoffs-cleveland-cavs-darius-garland-injury-toe-update-041423-1852423859)
- Despite the recurrent injuries and initial struggles, Darius Garland managed to rally alongside Donovan Mitchell in the NBA, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a second-highest win total in their franchise history and securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
- In the midst of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, Garland sought to recapture his All-Star form and overcome his latest setback, showcasing resiliency, determination, and the power of collaboration in trading off scoring duties with Mitchell.
