The Cavaliers know how vital Darius Garland is to everything they want to do on the offensive end, particularly as the starting lineup continues to mesh with the addition of Max Strus .
But one sight they'd like to see a bit more of: Garland going full steam, heading downhill.
Garland carries several responsibilities within the Cavs ' offensive structure. He's a 20-point-per-night scorer who can, at any moment, drop a 40-point game. He's also a facilitator, often referred to as the "quarterback" of Cleveland 's offense.
Ulrich: Cavs needed heart-to-heart a week ago, so win vs. Magic big with more tests ahead
The way he plays off of Donovan Mitchell has been a vital on-court relationship for the Cavs' high-scoring backcourt duo. The pick-n-roll games between Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have been needed weapons.
And Garland's ability to go downhill — meaning when he pushes the tempo and is able to drive into the paint — helps to facilitate it all.
"It just creates more open looks. It makes the game easier for everybody," Mitchell said. "That's who he is and we've missed that throughout the first few games [of the season] and it's good to see him getting back to it and from creating shots for not just myself, but for Evan, JA, the bigs. It makes my life a hell of a lot easier for sure."
The Cavs of course want to avoid purely becoming an isolation offense. But within their system, Garland's driving ability can be a force with Allen around the rim, Mitchell and Struss on the outside and Mobley basically anywhere on the floor.
"It's a lot of attention on me and Donovan, so anytime I get downhill, just be aggressive, it opens up for everybody, really," Garland said. "All the defenses just collapse in. Max gets open shots, Georges [ Niang ] gets open shots, Dean [ Wade ] gets open shots. I just have to be in that aggressive mindset and to try to get those guys open shots, as many as I can."
'G' and Mitchell: Why Georges Niang is a key factor for the Cavs on the floor — and in the locker room
The Cavs often want to force opponents into tough decisions. That's the driving force behind much of what they're looking to do. It relies on trusting the ball handler — often Garland — to be able to make the correct reactionary play. The Cavs want teams to have to pick their poison on defense with who they give the most attention. Garland's ability to get into the paint is one of the Cavs' best weapons to breaking down defensive strongholds.
It's especially true after the Cavs' offseason additions of Strus and Niang, which was an effort to add some shooting help that can give Garland and Mitchell a bit more space to create their own shots.
Though there is a balance to be found with all of this.
"I mean, it definitely is a point of emphasis for us, but we've always talked about being aggressive in the paint, and we continue to add guys that can space the floor, which gives you room," head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "But that doesn't mean we want to be a team that just settles. The way the league is set up, where you're not really allowed to put your hands on people … now you're attacking, attacking, attacking, [they] bring help, and now the play's just become that much easier to make."
Whenever Garland is able to have his defender leaning, the Cavs are probably going to be in good shape.
"When you're as ... skilled as he is, the way the rules are set up when guys can't touch you, there's not many guys who can stop and start as quickly as he can going forward when they're going backwards," Bickerstaff said. "So it's most nights that he's got the advantage. Sometimes he likes to play with his food a little bit, but he can beat just about anybody in the league when he's going downhill."
As the Cavs look to take the next step with their standing in the East, Garland having as many meals as possible is near the top of the to-do list.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers want to see Darius Garland go 'downhill' more
