Darius Garland made headlines throughout the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round sweep of the Miami Warmth when he candidly revealed their technique of concentrating on Tyler Herro as a defensive legal responsibility.
Whereas the Cavaliers’ success seemingly validated this method, former NBA participant Austin Rivers believes Garland ought to have saved quiet.
Rivers argues that Darius Garland, who has his personal defensive shortcomings, was not the correct particular person to name out one other participant’s protection.
“The remark Darius Garland made initially was bizarre. Proper message, flawed messenger man,” Rivers mentioned on the Ryen Russilo podcast.
“Like, they do choose on Tyler. Tyler additionally has 35, 32, he’s been doing his factor, let’s not act like he’s not been kicking y’all’s ass, his workforce’s simply not that good.”
Rivers didn’t maintain again in highlighting what he sees as Garland’s defensive limitations: “And Darius, your not an excellent defender. Let’s not act like final yr we didn’t see Boston play you guys and so they weren’t killing you within the swap.”
As Rivers mentioned, Tyler Herro additionally had good performances throughout the collection. In Recreation 2, he scored 33 factors and made 4 three-pointers regardless that the Warmth didn’t win the sport.
The previous NBA guard warned that Garland’s feedback might come again to hang-out him, particularly if the Cavaliers advance to face the Boston Celtics within the Jap Convention Finals – no assure after their opening loss to the Pacers.
“I like Darius Garland, I’m a fan of his sport… he has among the best handles within the league, however your not a fantastic defender, you’ve made steps this yr to make your self not as a legal responsibility on that finish… however it shouldn’t have got here from you,” Rivers defined.
Within the semifinals, Garland, who missed Recreation 1 as a consequence of harm, may even face a tough and sensible guard in Tyrese Haliburton, if he will get again on the court docket.
Rivers delivered a pointed reminder concerning the hazard of calling out opponents’ weaknesses when you’ve related vulnerabilities.
“You shouldn’t be calling out Tyler Herro for being picked on, on protection. When actually while you play Boston in a collection or two, they’re going to do this to you. That’s why you don’t say these items.”
Because the Cavaliers proceed their playoff journey, Garland’s defensive capabilities will definitely be examined—and opponents is perhaps much more motivated to focus on him after his feedback about Herro.
