NBA ALL-STAR MEDIA DAY

February 19, 2022

Darius Garland

Media Day Press Conference

Q. What do you think about the Cavaliers potentially in the playoffs without LeBron? What does that mean to you?

DARIUS GARLAND: It means a lot. Our guys want to make our own legacy, 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.

Q. How tough was it to lose Ricky Rubio given how well he was playing and what he meant to the team?

DARIUS GARLAND: It was hard for all of us. Ricky was like a big brother to all of us. We love Ricky. He meant a lot to this team, and that was a hard fall for us, but we got back up. He is happy for us. We're happy for him. Just wish the best for him.

Q. He was like a mentor for you?

DARIUS GARLAND: He taught me everything. Like in a pick and roll how to be a leader. He got on me about leadership, though. He always wanted me to get on someone or be more vocal on the court or be more demanding of the ball. I really appreciate that.

Q. If I asked you to describe Steph Curry's game, what words would you use?

DARIUS GARLAND: Unreal. Unbelievable. Just smooth, fluid jumper.

Q. What has the scene been like in Cleveland this weekend so far?

DARIUS GARLAND: It's been great. I mean, I’ve never seen Cleveland like this, so it's super cool just to see everybody out. 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.

Q. Any prediction for the Skills Challenge?

DARIUS GARLAND: I think we're going to win. I already today J.A. [Jarrett Allen] that we're going for the win. I'm going out hard. I'm about to get stretched and everything. I'm going to get warmed up. I'm going for it.

Q. Darius, are you getting a sense of how special making it to the All-Star Game is?

DARIUS GARLAND: It's super special. 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.

Q. How special is it to be here with your teammate Jarrett Allen?

DARIUS GARLAND: It's super cool. 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.

Q. How much fun are you having with All-Star being in your home city?

DARIUS GARLAND: It's cool. Everybody is out having a great time. Got to see some entertaining basketball. Can't ask nothing better for us. It's cool just being in the home state. I can go home. If I go out for a long time and have a long night. It's super cool just being here, having all the fans here. Just interacting with everybody.