The Cavaliers have an elite offense because this player has returned to All-Star form

The Cleveland Cavaliers are eating the fruits of the Darius Garland Renaissance. The 24-year-old former All-Star was one of the NBA's best sharpshooters early in the season and helped lead the Wine and a Gold to an 8-0 record (in 13 days), the second-best league offense, and to the playoffs Eastern Conference competition.

“He's a true point guard,” coach Kenny Atkinson said after Monday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks, in which Garland scored 39 points. Atkinson also praised him for his 10 assists against the Bucks two nights earlier.

Garland is a threat on and off the ball and can be both the starter and first choice. He scores 20.5 points on 66 percent true shooting and 63.6 percent effective field goals while receiving fewer touches than his counterparts. Considering guards who have played at least six games, 39 others average more touches on the ball and 23 players record longer time of possession.

Notably, his confidence when attacking off the dribble has returned, as his pull-up splits have increased by 4.5 percent and his catch-and-shoot numbers have improved by 10.9 percent. Garland's accuracy on the ball is paramount for the Cavaliers, as another scorer will allow Donovan Mitchell to stay in single coverage longer. Remember, only a third of Garland's two-point shots are assisted.

He is so accurate when catching (46.7 percent) that you can't help him on the perimeter. Only 25.9 percent of Garland's long attempts come from the corner, but that's another area where he can punish his rivals as it's the easiest shot in the NBA – as defenses give in first to disrupt the lane – and it's a problem-free attempt for him, as he attracts 46.7 percent of the attention.

In half court he is a screen dealer. Defending him in drop coverage is a futile exercise as the Cavaliers have good coverage to lock down the point-of-attack protector. His range requires the second defender to close in, but there is a risk of him being picked up by the pick-setter.

He also involves various teammates – in eight appearances he has assisted five of them at least five times (Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Mitchell, Dean Wade and Georges Niang). His two primary targets are Allen and Mobley through the pick-and-roll, forward passes, and dribble penetration assists. Of his 52 dimes, 44.2 percent have set up the big duo.

But that's not the only way he plays; He has also increased his screening. When Mobley initiates an offense in the open field, Garland has laid out tips for easier access to the downhill run. As soon as the screen slips, Garland becomes a dangerous option. Conversely, Mitchell and Wade are the Cavaliers who provide the most for Garland with nine and six assists.

He also handles the ball well. His assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.74.

On defense, Garland's size will always be an issue against bigger ballplayers, but he competes. Still, he contributes to the NBA's fifth-ranked defense as a reliever or passing lane thief. Additionally, the Cavaliers' starting unit has the best defensive rating of any first rotation.

To hide him, it is effective to put him on specialists or weak ball handlers. For example, in the first game against the Bucks on November 2nd, he spent most of his time defending Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince; The former was a dud that night, and the latter shot him once. However, in the win against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 30, Garland checked D'Angelo Russell, a good guard who mostly shoots from the outside.

In an interview with sideline reporter Serena Winters after the win at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks on Oct. 28, Garland said he played aggressively and with joy. Nothing has changed and he continues to get stronger as the season progresses. Look for the Cavaliers as Garland hits his midseason form.

All statistics refer to games played up to November 5th