First, the Cleveland Cavaliers walked the walk with a signature win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, Darius Garland is talking the talk in saying the Cavs deserve four All-Stars.
While Donovan Mitchell may receive the most attention on the team, it was Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen who effectively carried their leading scorer through a poor shooting night to get the win Wednesday.
Speaking with media after a thrilling 129-122 win over the Thunder in an historic clash, Garland was emphatic in his belief.
“I’m trying to be humble as possible. But … yeah, I should be an All-Star. Yes,” Garland said. “There should be four of us on this team that are All-Stars.”
How Real Is The Case?
Historically, it appears Garland may be onto something.
In the past couple decades, four teams have accomplished the feat.
- 2006 Detroit Pistons: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace
- 2011 Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett
- 2015 Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Al Horford
- 2018 Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green
What do the Cavs have in common with all four of these teams? Winning a lot of basketball games.
The Pistons started their season a remarkable 37-5, the Celtics 33-9, the Hawks 40-8, and the Warriors 37-9.
Cleveland, at 32-4, is now on pace for 73 wins, which would match the record set by Golden State back in 2015-16.
While Oklahoma City, at 30-6, is also winning at a very high level, it revolves around a leading MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander whereas the Cavs very much are reliant on the whole being greater than the sum with their four stars.
Individual Cases
One of the factors to bear in mind when considering the individual cases of these Cavs players is head coach Kenny Atkinson has prioritized the health of his players over the course of the regular season. They aren’t playing heavy minutes and elevating their numbers.
There is not a single player averaging at least 32 minutes per game. Mitchell leads the way at 31.4, with Mobley behind him at 30.4. For some perspective, Mitchell averaged at least 35 minutes per game in each of the last two seasons.
Mitchell is still the team’s leading scorer at 22.9 points per game, to go along with 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals. Based on the latest All-Star voting returns, he is in line to be a starter.
Garland is averaging 20.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.1 steals. One thing working against the 24-year-old may be just how deep the competition is at the guard spot in the East. LaMelo Ball (currently the leading vote-getter among East guards), Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham and Tyler Herro will all likely figure into the equation.
One thing is for certain, Garland has teammate Tristan Thompson’s vote.
Tristan Thompson interrupted Darius Garland’s media availability tonight to make the case for Garland to be an All-Star. pic.twitter.com/i7Ok05mpPD
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) January 9, 2025
Mobley is the third-leading scorer at 18.9 points, as well as averaging 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, a steal and 1.5 blocks. He is also in the running to be Defensive Player of the Year. All of Mitchell, Garland and Mobley are shooting at least 40 percent from three.
Then, there’s the man in the middle. Allen is averaging 14.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and just around a steal and a block while shooting 70 percent from the field. He may be on the outside looking in, though Joel Embiid and Kristaps Porzingis’ health, as well as a down year for Bam Adebayo, may aid his cause.
This looks like it’s going to be a very fun buildup toward final All-Star selections, and just as with every year, controversy looms in who will be snubbed this time around.
