Darius Garland continues to elevate his game by studying one of the NBA’s all-time greats, Stephen Curry. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard recently shared how Curry’s playing style has been a blueprint for his own development.
“He’s one of the greatest players to ever play this game, especially at the position that I am and a smaller guard,” Garland told cleveland.com after Cleveland’s win over the Toronto Raptors on January 9. “I watch so much film on Steph, so I try to implement some of the stuff that he does into my game and try to do it my way.”
Garland, 25, is enjoying a stellar season, averaging 21.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 30.3 minutes per game. His scoring average ties his career-best.
Like Curry, Garland overcame doubts early in his career, including concerns about his size and injuries. Both guards have defied expectations, with Garland cementing his status as one of the league’s premier point guards this season.
Curry, now 36, remains a force for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 22.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 31.7 minutes per game. Widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, his influence on Garland is evident in the younger guard’s scoring versatility and off-ball movement.
The Cavaliers, who hold the best record in the Eastern Conference at 36-9, have benefited from Garland’s consistency. Cleveland leads the Boston Celtics by 4.5 games and trails only the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-8) in the league standings.
Garland’s dedication to studying Curry’s approach reflects his commitment to refining his craft. While he’s incorporated Curry’s strategies, Garland emphasizes adapting them to fit his unique playing style.
Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers head coach and a former Warriors assistant coach, previously compared Garland to Curry, praising the Cavs star for his ability to navigate the court as a smaller guard.
