When Stephen A. Smith speaks, the basketball world listens—whether it agrees or not. And during a recent segment on First Take, the outspoken analyst dropped a take that sparked instant debate: Donovan Mitchell needs Darius Garland’s help. 🤷♂️
To some, it might seem like an obvious statement. After all, basketball is a team sport, and even stars like Mitchell can’t carry the load alone. But coming from Stephen A., the message hit with extra weight. The tone wasn’t just about teamwork—it was about urgency.
“Donovan Mitchell is doing all he can, but if the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to make real noise in the East,” Stephen A. said, “Darius Garland has to step up. Period.”
Mitchell has been phenomenal since joining the Cavaliers, averaging All-Star numbers and often putting the team on his back in big moments. But the playoffs are a different beast, and Stephen A.’s point was clear: if Cleveland wants to survive and advance—especially in a loaded Eastern Conference—Garland can’t be invisible.
Let’s be real: Darius Garland is no slouch. He’s an elite-level playmaker, a smooth scorer, and one of the best young point guards in the league. But injuries and inconsistent performances have occasionally dimmed his spotlight next to Mitchell’s explosive presence. Stephen A. wasn’t criticizing Garland’s talent—he was challenging his consistency.
“Garland’s gotta remind people why he was an All-Star,” Smith continued. “I’m looking at this Cavs team, and they can’t be one-dimensional. You can’t just sit back and say ‘Donovan will fix it.’ That’s not how you win in the playoffs.”
Fans had mixed reactions online. Some echoed Smith’s take, saying Garland has been too passive in high-pressure situations and needs to take more ownership of the offense. Others argued that Cleveland’s struggles are more about coaching, spacing, or the team’s lack of reliable wings than any one player.
Still, it’s hard to deny the numbers. When both Mitchell and Garland are locked in, Cleveland’s offense becomes dynamic and dangerous. Garland’s ability to penetrate, collapse defenses, and hit open shooters makes him the perfect counterbalance to Mitchell’s aggressive scoring. But when Garland fades? Defenses load up on Mitchell, and the Cavs become predictable.
It’s not a knock—it’s a truth.
To go deep in the playoffs, Cleveland needs both of its star guards playing like… well, stars. And that means Garland being more than just a facilitator. It means asserting himself, hitting tough shots, and taking pressure off Mitchell when defenses throw everything at him.
Stephen A. may be loud, but sometimes, he’s loud and right.
So, is Garland the key to Cleveland’s postseason ceiling? Maybe. One thing’s for sure: if the Cavs want to make a serious run, Donovan Mitchell can’t do it alone. And according to Stephen A., it’s time for Darius Garland to prove he’s ready for that moment.
