Winning in the NBA requires sacrifice. Even more for the Cleveland Cavaliers – who leads a Frankenstein starting lineup of overlapping talents such as Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. The two backcourt teammates have found success together, but getting to the next level requires individual sacrifices that both players have slowly made.
In Mitchell’s case, it was necessary to abandon his hero mentality and become a playmaker. He couldn’t just be a high-volume gunslinger alongside Garland. Mitchell had to find a way to open the floor with his passing and a career high in assists this season showed that progression
As for Garland, two distinct changes needed to be made. First, Garland had to accept fewer touches to make room for his new running mate. This has happened, with Garland scoring more than 10 touchdowns per game since 2021-22 season. Garland has managed to decrease his touches even more this season than compared to his First of all with Mitchell (down 4.1 per game).
Playing without the ball isn’t easy for a player who has spent his entire career dominating the game as a field general. Although the transition hasn’t been smooth, Garland is gradually finding ways to be effective. More … than 45% of his field goals have been assisted this season, scoring a career high and nearly 10% more than the year before.
In addition to playing more off the ball, Garland had to adjust his style of play. He always favored interior passes rather than dispersing them to the perimeter. But Garland had to adjust to Cleveland’s new emphasis on the three-point shot.
This season, three-pointers accounted for 35% of Garland’s assists. Compare this to last year (25.6%) or the year before (30.7%) and a positive trend emerges. The Cavaliers attempt the 8th most three-pointers in the NBA and Garland is doing his best to contribute to that increase.
Generating three-point shots is more difficult for a player like Garland, who lacks elite athleticism or ability to apply pressure at the rim. Compare that to Mitchell, who gets to the rim in his sleep and generates 45% of his assists on three-pointers. Again, this ability to drive and kick has been a key part of Mitchell’s growth as a playmaker.
Garland is far from perfect. He struggled mightily early in the season with the second-worst assist-to-turnover ratio of his career. Even now, his physical limitations limit the passes he can and cannot make to the perimeter.
But a recent 27-point, 11-assist performance against the New Orleans Pelicans showed the culmination of Garland’s development. It was vintage DG – only it happened as part of Cleveland’s new style. The Cavaliers attempted 45 three-pointers against the Pelicans, 22 of which were generated directly by Garland.
The Cavs are counting on Darius and Donovan to lead the charge offensively. If Mitchell makes unselfish decisions with the ball and Garland controls his shot regime properly, then the Cavaliers will be a scary team to face in the playoffs.
