Garland hard work has allowed him to have the best season of his career.
It’s difficult to imagine a more complete turnaround from one year to the next for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garand. At the end of last season, we were wondering if he could coexist with Donovan Mitchell, and understandably so.
Now, we’re wondering just how high the ceiling is for a group with three All-Stars playing the best basketball of their careers.
Garland’s resurgence is at the center of his improvements, but also the team’s as a whole. The offense goes as he does. His ability to orchestrate the attack has allowed everyone to be their best selves.
This is a far cry from the player last year who lost weight due to injuries, struggled to make a positive impact in the playoffs, and was the subject of trade rumors.
Now, he’s an All-Star for the second time in his career.
“I worked my ass off all summer,” Garand said, “so I’m happy to be back here,”
The journey to getting back to this moment was rough, but it was an experience that molded him into the player he is now.
“I’m a soldier, for real,” Garland said when asked what he learned from that experience. “A lot of people don’t go through jaw surgeries and wired shut. You know, I couldn’t talk, couldn’t eat. I know, a lot of people that wouldn’t do that or couldn’t do that.
“So, yeah, I’ll say that [was] just another bump in the road, just dealing with some adversity, just getting through it, just fighting, and finding a way to have some joy.”
Garland credits his teammates and those around him for that.
“Last year, I went to Paris with the guys and that was the most fun I’ve had,” Garland said. “And I couldn’t eat none of the great food, or even talk to them. These guys bring me a lot of joy, and that was that’s why I got through it, to be honest with you.
“Just keep your head up high. Keep smiling. Stay attached to your loved ones that’ve been there for you. And just get through it.”
Through it all, Garland hasn’t just matched his form from before the injuries, he’s far and away surpassed it.
His understanding of how to best utilize his strengths in concert with each other is why he’s putting up career highs in points (21.8), effective field goal percentage (59.4%, 95th percentile for point guards), and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.79).
The talent that has always been there is completely clicking into place now.
“It’s insane,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said of Garland after Cleveland’s win over the Detroit Pistons earlier this week. “His skill level is so incredible. … It’s a little bit like Steph [Curry], you’re just caught in awe, like, holy… how did he [do that]?”
Garland has been vocal about wanting to be an All-Star this season and understandably so. The journey to get back to this point likely isn’t the one that he would’ve chosen, but he’s here now.
He’s gotten the validation that comes from being an All-Star once again.
“It means a lot,” Garland said about being named an All-Star. “Last year around this time I was at home with my jaw wired shut. Couldn’t eat. Couldn’t talk. So being here today is a blessing. A lot of hard work put in, sacrifices.”