CLEVELAND — “Let ‘em know” is the marketing slogan for this year’s Cleveland Cavaliers squad, yet for the first half of the season, few recognized outside of Cleveland what the Cavs have been up to. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Cleveland Cavaliers have defied experts’ predictions by amassing one of the best records in the Eastern Conference

  • Following the Cavs’ victory Monday over Brooklyn, the NBA said ESPN will carry the Cavs’ March 6 matchup against the Raptors

  • The Cavs, who host the NBA All-Star Game next month, have two bona fide all-star contenders in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen

The Cavs compiled one of the best records in the Eastern Conference without any national television appearances on ESPN or TNT. The spotlight, however, will soon shine on Cleveland. 

The Cavaliers will host the NBA All-Star Game and with it, the club has several bona fide all-star candidates on the roster. Guard Darius Garland and forward Jarrett Allen are in the top 10 at their respective positions in All-Star voting, according to the NBA.

Garland is averaging 19.7 points and 7.9 assists per game while Allen averages 16.6 points and 10.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Garland has a “unique personality trait” that has helped lead the team to its best start in years.

“I don’t know if there is a rhyme or reason, but I believe that some people have that personality and that charisma that people want to follow and he’s one of those people,” Bickerstaff said. “It is very similar to how (Utah Jazz guard) Mike Conley is for example. There are just certain guys who people want to be around and they want to follow.” 

Garland said after Monday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets that his confidence is “super high.” 

“(It stems from) teammates, coaching staff just letting me be me,” Garland said. 

Given that Garland is trailing Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, who has played just four games this season, among Eastern Conference guards, Allen said it’s a “tough call” on if things need to change on how players qualify to become All-Star starters.

“I truly do believe fans should have a say in the All-Star Game,” Allen said. “That’s how it is. The fans make the NBA who it is, so the fans deserve a certain level of responsibility in the vote. Whether we agree with having Kyrie or not…” 

Allen said his vote would be for Garland, but he’s been watching his own results as well. 

The Allen-Garland duo has led the Cavs to sit just 1.5 games out of first in the conference. Depending on the results of Wednesday’s games, the Cavs could finish the day just half a game out of first. 

“It’s truly exciting,” Allen said. “Mainly because we’re not just beating one good team here and then getting blown out the next game. It’s not like this is a fluke.”

Those in the prediction-making business forecasted the team to not compete for a playoff spot, let alone for a spot among the conference’s top teams. With the Bulls and Nets facing injuries, the Cavs could make a jump to the top of the table.

Following the All-Star Game, the spotlight could continue to shine on Cleveland. The NBA announced the March 6 game will now be aired on ESPN. Games on ESPN and TNT have become a rarity in the years since LeBron James moved to Los Angeles. The March 6 game will mark the team's first, and as of now, only game on either ESPN or TNT.

Related Stories