It was rumored from the start of the preparation that Darius Garland was rather at ease within the “Select Team” of Erik Spoelstra, aiming to serve as “sparring partner” to Team USA.
Hit in the knee at the start of the rally, the leader of the Cavs would quickly have found his means to make a strong impression, and thus found himself selected to complete the American group for the final preparation matches. He even participated in the defeat against Nigeria (2 points, 1 assist, 1 ball lost in 6 minutes).
“We have to face the best guys in America, some of the guys we’ve admired for so long”, he recalled. “A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to do that. It was always a childhood dream to wear a United States jersey, to have the United States on your chest. I am super enthusiastic. Honored and happy to be here ”.
One more step in the right direction
Alongside his teammate, Kevin Love, who also went through the “Select Team” when he was younger, but also his friend Keldon Johnson, who plays for his part at Spurs, Darius Garland quickly found his marks. The leader learns not only from the high standards, even in training, but also by being accompanied by two of the best coaches in the league, Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra.
“He took a big step forward last year and showed what he is capable of and has continued to improve and take the right direction in his game”Kevin Love said of his Cleveland teammate. “I think being here and playing against us, playing with the guys he’s in the Select Team with, can be very important for him, to push him and take a big step forward in this third year” .
As for many of the members of the “Select Team”, the objective of this adventure is to gain experience before continuing their progress. This will be particularly the case for Darius Garland in Cleveland, who will aim to reverse the dynamics of the franchise next season.
“It’s an important summer for me”, he recalled, as he will play his third season in the NBA. “It’s a great experience. It’s another springboard. This is another important step for me. I must continue to push, to work (…). My confidence is going to be high. A lot of guys have high expectations, I have them for myself too. I try to learn as much as I can, and to bring all that to the organization of the Cavs ”.
| Darius Garland | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CLE | 59 | 31 | 40.1 | 35.5 | 87.5 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 12.3 |
| 2020-21 | CLE | 54 | 33 | 45.1 | 39.5 | 84.8 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 17.4 |
| Total | 113 | 32 | 42.8 | 37.4 | 85.8 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 14.8 | |
