The Cleveland Cavaliers’ comeback as a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference has been one of the NBA’s most compelling stories this season. According to Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland, the success can be attributed to two important events: Evan Mobley’s development as a stretch forward and the arrival of head coach Kenny Atkinson.
In an exclusive conversation with DJ Siddiqi, Garland highlighted how Atkinson’s system has unlocked a new version of Mobley, helping Cleveland win and thrive in a three-point-dominated league.
“Evan was really a dunker the last couple years and now moving him to the three-point line, which is really helping us a lot,” Garland said. “Especially for our guards in the backcourt really to get downhill and be aggressive. Now they really have to respect his three ball ‘cause he’s really knocking them down right now and shooting them with confidence.”
Mobley’s transformation from primarily inside scorer to a legitimate perimeter threat has significantly influenced Cleveland’s offensive evolution. As a first-time All-Star, the 23-year-old forward, averaging 21.9 points per game, has made 1.4 three-pointers on 3.7 attempts, a significant improvement from previous seasons. Due to that shift, the floor has been extended for a Cavaliers team stacked with ball-handling talent. Mobley’s presence beyond the arc gives Garland and Donovan Mitchell more room to penetrate and create.
“That was really a big change for us just to spread the floor a little bit with all the ball-handling and the skill that we have just to create some more confusions and get downhill,” Garland added.
Cleveland’s increase in three-point efficiency is not an accident. Under Atkinson, the Cavaliers have followed the NBA’s lead, launching an average of 45 three-pointers per game.
Due to their staggering number of long-range attempts, they are second only to the Boston Celtics. This is a significant jump from seventh last season and 19th just two years ago.
“Now we’re looking for spray outs and we’re shooting probably like 45 three-pointers a game now, which is where the league is going,” Garland said. “Just moving Evan to the four and him shooting the three-ball with confidence has really helped us a lot.”
Garland acknowledges that the Cavaliers need to move forward, especially in a potential postseason showdown with Boston, even though the Celtics are the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooting team.
They must keep up with the pace beyond the arc. Garland believes the most significant change this season has been cultural, aside from the X’s and O’s. Following J.B. Bickerstaff’s departure after four seasons, the Cavaliers brought Atkinson to inject new energy and ideas into the locker room. The results have been evident so far.
“Kenny’s been really great for us,” Garland shared. “Just having another voice in our locker room, just a new fresh start with the new coaching staff really helped us.”
Atkinson’s record, developed through years of player development and a fast-paced, modern offensive approach, has aligned with the young core of Cleveland. Mobley is doing well, Garland is confidently orchestrating, and the Cavaliers look like a legitimate threat to challenge the East’s elite. In light of the looming playoffs, the Cavaliers have a clear identity: spacing the floor, shooting with volume, and letting their emerging stars shine. Cleveland can make a deep run and possibly rewrite the script in the Eastern Conference, thanks to Atkinson’s vision and Mobley’s evolution.
