Cavs: Two PGs Darius Garland should be learning from

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images /
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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Out of all of the most recent Cleveland Cavaliers draft picks, I self-admittedly like Darius Garland the most.

I really like the way he fits in today’s NBA game. He knows how to control tempo as a floor general. Garland also has very deep range, and improved his outside shooting to the point where he shot 40 percent from three last year.

DG also doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands to get open and score. He plays really well off of Collin Sexton. Although in my opinion, he needs to become a stronger finisher, and even be more creative as a playmaker.

I think I’ve mentioned it a couple of times now, but if we learned one thing from the playoffs it is that shooting wins. Generally, shooting is the reason why I’d like for the Cavaliers to consider taking a flyer on LiAngelo Ball.

In Garland’s case though, he already has deep range and is a good three-point shooter. While playing off of Sexton, he is able to get to his spots. Plus, while the volume was 21 shots, he was effective in other areas from three, and still knocked in an incredible 52.4 percent of his right corner three attempts, per NBA.com’s shooting data; he league average there was 39 percent.

Even though the Cavalier backcourt is severely undersized, they play well off of one another. Sexton, like it or not, has the ball in his hands a lot, so Garland has learned to pick and find his spots while Sexton drives to the lane. While his shot can always improve, I think he needs to be stronger and more creative around the rim. If he can take his game and compare it with Trae Young, you will find out they aren’t all that different players.

In fact, Young is a player I hope Garland is taking notes on. Garland has the skills to become an elite NBA point guard, however, his defense needs work. To improve his defense, and thus improve his entire game, all he needs to do is look to Los Angeles and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has always been an athletic specimen, but there are parts to his game that Garland should try and emulate.