The Cleveland Cavaliers have made some solid moves this off-season. You can add starting point guard Darius Garland to the list of people who are excited about the new additions. Garland is hyped to continue building around the team’s first playoff appearance since 2018.
Garland Is Happy
“I’m really excited,” Garland told Cleveland.com when asked about the team’s free-agency spending spree. “Got some floor spacers that can shoot the ball really well. Georges has a toughness and is going to bring that to the team. Max is a really good basketball player, shoots the ball well, and comes off screens really well. Both play both sides, which Cleveland and Coach J.B. [Bickerstaff] loves. Damian Jones as well, bringing that athletic ability to back up J.A. (Jarrett Allen) and Evan (Mobley). Of course, I’ve gotta mention my Vanderbilt guy.” according to CavaliersNation.com.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won 51 games last season and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. Although they fell short in the first round of the playoffs to a scrappy New York Knicks team, that was a great season to build on. Cleveland’s offense was the main reason they were sent home. They have recognized that by adding players like Max Strus and George Niang. They have also brought back Caris LeVert on a new deal.
Darius Garland is also coming off another successful season. Averaging 21.6 points per game with 7.8 assists. Those numbers are great for the 23-year-old. He was able to mesh well in his first season playing alongside Donovan Mitchell. They were a solid one-two punch. If one was scoring the other was passing. This shows that they can be an effective backcourt in today’s NBA. Next season is the Eastern Conference Finals or bust for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs Are Ready!
“Just looking forward,” Garland said. “Just thinking about next year. Everybody is super excited about this team we have now.”
The Cavaliers recently won the 2023 NBA Summer League championship. Isaiah Mobley was a huge bright spot in that win. It would not be surprising to see him get some meaningful minutes next season for the Cavaliers. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the depth and the talent to be a contender in the Eastern Conference.
It will be very interesting to see how far these new players can push the Cavaliers in their quest for another NBA Championship. Can The Cavs get over the hill and become a real threat? Only time will tell as for now, we have to wait and watch.
Image Credits: YouTube.com/ClevelandCavaliers .