Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

Cleveland was supposed to dominate the East with the Knicks, Darius Garland now knows exactly why they're nowhere close

The top spots are still up for grabs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are having a tough season. Before it started, many people believed Cleveland and the New York Knicks would be the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. But things haven’t worked out that way for the Cavaliers.

Recommended Videos

Cleveland is now eighth in the East with a 19-16 record. They are far behind the Knicks, who sit second with a 23-10 record. The good news is that the Cavaliers have won their last two games, so there’s still hope to turn things around.

The team has dealt with several injuries to key players, including Darius Garland. Losing an All-Star point guard hurts any team badly. Garland runs the offense for Cleveland, which is important because Donovan Mitchell works best when he focuses on scoring rather than setting up plays. According to Sporting News, Garland knows why the Cavaliers failed to fire on all cylinders this season. 

Operation Sports App Screenshot

Operation Sports App

Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.

Your ultimate sports gaming companion.

4.8

Getting the big men involved is what Cleveland needs to win games

Garland knows how to get his teammates good shots, especially the big men. Coach Kenny Atkinson wants his point guards to involve everyone on the court, particularly the centers. Since Cleveland has Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen up front, Atkinson wants to use their size and skills as much as possible.

The Cavaliers can still climb back into the top spots in the East. They need a better offense, and Atkinson believes feeding the big men through pick-and-rolls or post plays is the answer. 

If Mitchell keeps scoring from outside while the centers score inside, Cleveland’s offense will be much harder to stop. In other leagues, veteran players like the veteran quarterback weighing retirement often face similar crossroads about their future.

“Get the bigs the ball. Involve them as much as we can; they do so much for us on the defensive end. Hit them on the short roll, and make plays for them, so they can do their thing,” Garland said after beating the Suns.

In their recent wins against San Antonio and Phoenix, the Cavaliers focused on getting the ball to their big men. Allen scored 27 points against the Spurs, and Garland dished out 11 assists. 

Against the Suns, both Allen and Mobley scored 16 points each and controlled the paint. While Cleveland searches for answers, the latest theory on Turner’s disappearance shows how unpredictable situations in sports can become.

The season will be tough for Cleveland as they try to meet expectations. But there’s plenty of time left to make things right. Garland will be crucial to any success, as he’s one of the best in the league at running an offense.

Author
Image of Sayed
Sayed
Abu Sayed is a professional content writer with more than 2 years of experience in the field. He specializes in writing about politics, entertainment, and sports news for his readers. His work covers a wide range of topics in these areas that keeps people informed and interested.