LeBron James is without a doubt the most prominent figure in Cavs franchise history. After helping The King bring home the title in 2016, Kyrie Irving is likewise another noteworthy name for the franchise. He may not have the same status as LeBron, but there’s no denying that Kyrie deserves to be considered an all-time great after all that he’s done for Cleveland.
Right now, it’s Darius Garland who’s looking to hold up the torch in the stead of LeBron and Kyrie. The 22-year-old has now established himself as the Cavs’ cornerstone star and the front office hopes to keep him in the city for a very long time.
As it turns out, however, Garland has no intention of taking the exact same path LeBron or Kyrie took towards etching their names in the history books. According to the All-Star point guard, he’s much comfortable blazing his own trail:
“I never really thought about it,” Garland responded when asked how he feels about being he biggest Cavs star since LeBron and Irving left, via Tyler R. Tynes of GQ. “I try to stay in the present moment and work on myself. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to get this team better. I’m trying to get this organization better. I’m working on myself. Those guys are true legends in Cleveland and the NBA so all respect to them, but I’m just working on my team and myself right now. I talk to ‘Bron and Ky after games and stuff, but nothing really ever about Cleveland.”
You have to respect Garland as well for choosing to take his own path. It’s going to be virtually impossible to fill the void LeBron left nor is it going to be easy to be the “next” Kyrie Irving. In his mind, this young man wants to be the first Darius Garland.