CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen will team up with LeBron James Sunday night in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
Cleveland’s All-Stars have the Cavs winning again, sans James.
The Cavs have risen from the ashes left behind by James following his departure for Los Angeles in the summer of 2018 following four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and the 2016 NBA championship and are amid a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
Doing it without James, who won two NBA MVPs, five conference titles and an NBA championship as a Cavalier, has become a badge of honor for Garland and his young teammates.
“Our guys want to make our own legacy,” Garland said Saturday. “So, I mean, just putting Cleveland on the map without LeBron, it will mean a lot to all of us. A rebuild. Rebirth in Cleveland. It's a new look, new feel. It means a lot to all of us.”
Cleveland is 35-23 at the All-Star break, fourth in a tight Eastern Conference and just 2 ½ games behind Miami and Chicago, who are both 38-21.
James, who was born and grew up 35 minutes south on Interstate 77 in Akron, Ohio, has been able to bask in hosting family and friends at All-Star Weekend in Cleveland – but he’s doing it as a Laker, not a Cavalier.
James recognizes Garland’s talent which prompted him to select the guard with his second reserve pick in the All-Star Draft for Team LeBron.
Three years into his NBA career, Garland’s an All-Star, and it is expected it won’t be the last time either but he’s taking time to enjoy the moment.
“It's super special,” Garland said. “I mean, it's literally started to hit me today that I'm an All-Star. Just seeing everybody out and at practice. I've been waiting on this all my life, so it's super cool. It's a blessing. It's super cool just being in the hometown, the city that you play in. Couldn't ask for anything better.”
Cavs center Jarrett Allen, an injury replacement selection for James Harden, joins Garland on Team LeBron.
“It's super cool,” Garland said. “That's my big. I got to look out for him, so it's cool having two All-Stars from the same team in the same city. It's super cool. And we're on the same team, so I get to throw a couple of lobs. Yeah, it's super dope. I'm super excited.”
Like Garland, Allen is adjusting to the title of All-Star.
“It's still a lot to take in,” Allen said. “I don't think I've fully grasped the moment that I'm in. I'm part of the top 24 players in the NBA at this All-Star Weekend, so I'm just excited, I'm ready to take it all in and just enjoy every moment.”
These young Cavs have been working to climb out of James’ shadow.
Even during All-Star weekend in their home city, James looms everywhere on banners hung throughout downtown Cleveland, including the famed Sherwin Williams wall across from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which James also adorns – everywhere.
Garland has enjoyed seeing Cleveland shine in the NBA’s national spotlight for the first time since he was selected fifth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“I’ve never seen Cleveland like this, so it's super cool just to see everybody out,” Garland said. “All the fans being interactive. Everybody is smiling and happy even though it's snowing outside, so it's cool to see that. It's cool just being around here. I mean, even having the All-Star in your hometown, we're blessed.”