The Cleveland Cavaliers are 33-4 and riding a 12-game win streak after their win over the Toronto Raptors. They sit atop the Eastern Conference, six games ahead of the defending champions, Boston Celtics, who occupy second place. The quartet of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen has been crucial to this historic season. To think that this core was almost broken up over the summer shows how quickly things can change in the NBA. This Cavaliers team has a chance to achieve something that has not been done since 2018 and only nine times in league history—having four players from the same team selected as All-Stars.
Is The Cavaliers’ Four All-Stars Dream Possible?
Before delving into the case for all four and how realistic this dream is, it’s important to recall how close this quartet was to breaking up.
A Summer of Uncertainty
It may seem like a distant memory amid the team’s recent success, but the Cavaliers’ core was nearly dismantled months ago. Kenny Atkinson has done a masterful job turning things around and is arguably the runaway favorite for the Coach of the Year award. After all, this is a team that finished last regular season amid boos from their own fans, as they deliberately lost their final game against the Charlotte Hornets to secure the fourth seed and face the Orlando Magic in the playoffs.
The team entered the postseason with an inferiority complex and was gentleman-swept by the Celtics in the second round. J.B. Bickerstaff paid the ultimate price for these shortcomings. Mitchell was linked to a move to the New York Knicks before eventually signing an extension. Then, Garland became the subject of trade rumors following a down year in 2023-24, with links to the San Antonio Spurs and other teams. Despite these uncertainties, Atkinson took over as coach, and the team has been transformed.
On Pace for History
Now, the Cavaliers are on track to win 72 games, tying the record set by the Chicago Bulls in the 1995-96 season and one shy of the 73-win mark held by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. While the Cavaliers boast one of the league’s better benches, ranking seventh in bench scoring, their success has been driven by their quartet of stars.
Donovan Mitchell: The Jewel in the Crown
Mitchell is a shoo-in for the All-Star game in San Francisco, and his case is the easiest to make. Already a five-time All-Star, Mitchell seems certain to receive MVP votes for the second consecutive year. While his averages—22.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals—are slightly down, his efficiency from behind the arc (41.0% on 9.2 attempts per game) is a career high.
Mitchell’s willingness to take a step back to let his teammates shine has been vital. His gravity on offense makes the Cavaliers’ fast-paced, movement-heavy schemes work.
“I think that’s been my main focus,” Mitchell said. “I’m allowing myself to take a step back. I know where I can plug and play.”
Darius Garland: A Star Reborn
Garland entered the season with a point to prove and has done just that. The fifth pick in the 2019 draft, Garland has been an All-Star once before (2021-22) and is building a strong case for a second selection. He has improved his scoring to 21.0 points per game while averaging 6.7 assists and 1.1 steals.
Garland’s shooting splits—50.0/43.3/91.5—put him in the exclusive 50/40/90 club, a hallmark of efficiency. His standout performances, including a 40-point, 9-assist game last night, have bolstered his All-Star candidacy.
Evan Mobley: Defense, Defense and Some Offense?
Mobley, the third pick in the 2021 draft, has shown promising development this season after signing a five-year, $224 million max extension. He is averaging a career-high 19.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
Mobley’s increased aggressiveness and versatility have been key. His true shooting percentage (65.3%) is the highest of his career, and he is shooting 41.4% from three-point range on 2.8 attempts per game. Atkinson’s emphasis on empowering Mobley has been instrumental in his growth.
“‘How does this team make the next step?’” Atkinson told ESPN of his conversation with Mitchell. “‘No. 1,’ he said, ‘You don’t know how good Evan is.’ And then he said, ‘We have to empower him.’”
Jarrett Allen: Often Unnoticed Yet Extremely Effective
Allen’s All-Star case is the toughest to make among the quartet. A former All-Star (2021-22), Allen continues to be a double-double machine, logging 22 of them this season already. He’s averaging 14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks while shooting a career-high 70.6% from the field.
However, in a crowded Eastern Conference frontcourt, his path to the All-Star game is uncertain. Injuries and underperformance from other candidates could open the door, but it remains a long shot.
Is the Cavaliers Four All-Stars Dream Realistic?
The last team to send four players to the All-Star game was the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. That team featured elite scorers and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. While the Cavaliers’ quartet is impressive, achieving this feat may be just out of reach. Regardless, title contention is well within their grasp, making this a dream season for Cleveland fans.
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