Darius Garland has been a revelation for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. The Cavs have been perhaps the biggest breakout team this season, leading the league and the Eastern Conference in total wins with a 36-7 record. As the Cavs continue to march through the league with little resistance, Garland has his eyes set on replicating the success of LeBron James in Cleveland.
Darius Garland joined Warriors star Draymond Green on the Draymond Green Show alongside co-host Baron Davis to talk about the Cavaliers’ dominant season and their potential championship chances. On the podcast, Green asked Garland about his thoughts on the Cavs’ title chances. The All-Star guard firmly replied in the affirmative, detailing why he thinks his team have the ability to cross the hump.
We’re just super skilled at every position. Our depth is insane, we can go 9-10 deep, which a lot of teams really can’t do… I think we have a real chance man… It’s gon be tough but we have a chance for sure.
Garland said on the podcast.
Darius Garland feels this might just be the year the Cavaliers win a chip 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dAbVmaBoL6
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) January 23, 2025
While Garland seemed confident in the Cavaliers’ chances to win a title, the team’s success will ultimately come down to their ability to face some tough competition from the league’s top teams, the Boston Celtics and OKC Thunder, among others. However, DG seems confident in his team’s ability to replicate LeBron James’ championship path in 2016, which saw James beat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
James, the transcendental Lakers star, spent many years of his career with the Cavaliers after being drafted by then. After leaving the Cavaliers in 2010, he returned to the team in 2014, to eventually lead the Cavs to the promised land and deliver their first NBA title in 2016. As the Cavs set their eyes on the Larry O’Brien trophy, Darius Garland hopes to bring similar success to Cleveland as James once did.
Donovan Mitchell sticks up for Darius Garland after choking clutch game to Rockets
Before taking on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers stood alone atop the NBA with a league-leading 36-6 record. With just under 5 seconds left in the game, Darius Garland found himself with a chance to seal the Cavs’ 37th win of the season after a bizarre foul by Rockets’ guard Tari Eason.
However, Garland, a 90% free throw shooter for the season, would convert just 1 of his 3 free throws, allowing the Rockets to steal a win. Following the game, Cavaliers team leader Donovan Mitchell took to the podium to defend his fellow backcourt star from the barrage of criticism he faced.
This was just one of those things where the ball didn’t go in. It happens. I’d rather it now than in June. At the end of the day, we wouldn’t have gotten those free throws if you didn’t do what you do. He’s been great all year, great in the fourth all year. It happens. It happens to everybody, we all miss shots.
Mitchell told reporters postgame.
Even after the loss, however, the Cavs remain tied with the Thunder for the best record in the league. As for their loss to the Rockets, Darius Garland and the Cavaliers will have a chance to redeem themselves when they take on Clutch City once again on Saturday, 25th January. One thing is for certain, Garland will definitely have a bone to pick with the Rockets after his disappointing performance on Wednesday.
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