The Cleveland Cavaliers have been eradicated from the NBA Playoffs and Darius Garland has are available for criticism.
After clinching 64 wins and demolishing the Miami Warmth 4-0 within the opening playoff spherical, it was a serious shock to see the Cleveland Cavaliers demolished 4-1 by the hands of the Indiana Pacers.
This has sparked heavy criticism and there’s a lengthy highway again for the Cavs to get again and check out once more subsequent yr.
In going up towards the Pacers, head coach Kenny Atkinson merely mirrored on physicality and mentality being two key elements that led to their downfall.
Whereas Donovan Mitchell averaged 34.2 factors per sport through the collection, his teammates didn’t measure up.
The Cavaliers participant who struggled most was Darius Garland, incomes a scathing criticism from Kendrick Perkins.
Garland could get a go for some, nevertheless, as he selected to play on amid a sprained left massive toe that sidelined him for the primary two video games of the collection, and two video games towards the Warmth.
The All-Star guard averaged 14.0 factors and 4.0 assists whereas capturing 34.2 p.c from the sphere (16.7 p.c from threes).
Within the must-win Sport 5, Garland completed with simply 11 factors on 4-16 capturing throughout 33 minutes of their 114-105 season-ending loss.
“Look myself within the mirror and see what’s inside and go together with that,” Garland mirrored in his end-of-season press convention.
“I positively wasn’t myself on the market. It was fairly uncomfortable, however like I stated, making an attempt to do something to win the sport.
“I’m simply pleased I received on the market as a result of I didn’t wish to lay them out. Even when we weren’t all 100%, we have been all on the market making an attempt to place our greatest foot ahead, and that’s all we will ask for.
“So, I’m pleased I went on the market. It doesn’t matter if I used to be harm or not. I’m pleased I went to battle with my guys.
“They wished me on the market. I wished to be on the market. And everyone else that was banged up, I’m pleased that they got here out to battle and take part within the warfare.”
Throughout the season Garland was comparatively wholesome, taking part in in 75 video games. He averaged 20.6 factors with 6.7 assists and a couple of.9 rebounds.
Jeff Teague beforehand famous that the Cavs’ success lies on Garland and Mitchell’s firepower. However in essentially the most essential instances, it was solely Mitchell who emerged.
No matter what could occur this upcoming offseason, Garland will at all times have that love and admiration for town of Cleveland and the Cavs fanbase.
“It’s a whole lot of love for this metropolis. I name it like my second residence now,” Garland stated.
“I like the folks right here. It jogs my memory of the place I grew up, Gary, Indiana. So it actually does really feel like residence to me. I actually recognize everyone right here. … It’s all love right here.”
