It’s premature to declare the Cavs “back” but Darius Garland isn’t too off base

Darius Garland claimed the Cavs are “back” after Magic win.

The Cavs defeated the Magic on Saturday and after the game, Darius Garland took to Instagram to express the team is “back“. While his post was lacking context, many assume the young point guard is proclaiming the team is back as a real competitor in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs are 10-10 on the season and that’s one of their better non-LeBron James starts since the late 90s. Part of the reason is due to the play of Garland, rookie Evan Mobley, re-signed center-piece Jarrett Allen, and new additions Lauri Markkanen and Ricky Rubio.

The team hasn’t really had many bad games where they looked outclassed, and most of their losses have come in rather heart-breaking ways. A far different scenario than the last few years, that’s for sure.

Yet, the team still needs to learn to come back against good teams in the fourth, something they’ve struggled with this year. They also need to have a better record than .500 far later into the season than at the quarter-way point.

Darius Garland is premature with his declaring the Cavs back; but not by much.

This isn’t meant as a slam or a roast of the Cavs. Right now J.B. Bickerstaff looks like the coach the team has been after for some time and no one has even mentioned Koby Altman, who many thought had set the franchise back considerably. If the Cavs make the playoffs this year, Altman’s job will have not only been saved but the Cavaliers GM deserves the Executive of the Year Award.

The team is on the right path but until they’re above .500 for a prolonged period of time, it’s presumptuous to assume the team is officially “back”.

That doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be soon enough, but you don’t tell people you’ve arrived at your destination if you still have an hour to go on your trip.

The Cavs aren’t there yet, but they’re only a little bit away.