The votes are in for the NBA’s 2024-25 season All-Star game for the starters and reserves alike. As with every year, there were snubs kept off the rosters, and there were the obvious choices also. Several teams welcome their franchise’s representation, even if the game has lost value over the years. If there is one team that should be especially excited over their city boasting a player or two, it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers and their All-Stars led by Donovan Mitchell.
Cavaliers All-Star Game Representation Reflects Stellar Season
Cavaliers’ All-Star Donovan Mitchell Leads Two Teammates Into Star-Studded Event; One Important Teammate Left Out
Mitchell, who is already a seasoned All-Star with five previous appearances split with the Cavs and the Utah Jazz, nabbed a starter role this time around. It’s a well-deserved mention, considering he co-runs the league’s best backcourt alongside fellow All-Star Darius Garland, who notched his second selection. Garland will fill in as a reserve alongside a third Cavaliers teammate, Evan Mobley. It’s Mobley’s first All-Star selection and likely the first of a few more down the road.
Based on Cleveland’s 2023-24 Boston Celtics-esque season thus far, the chances of the Cavaliers being well-represented in San Francisco was as close to a certainty as you could get. At least two—Mitchell and Garland—were likely locked in. That’s not all, though, as many speculated and predicted that the Cavs would actually send four players to the All-Star game, including Mobley, of course, and Jarrett Allen. Unfortunately, Allen missed the cut. Fans were pulling for all four teammates to get in. However, reality has shut its doors, and the disappointment is real.
Three Is Still an Outstanding Accomplishment
The Cavaliers are jockeying back and forth with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the right to carry the label of the NBA’s best team. They have met twice already this season, splitting their season series. Cleveland took the first game, while OKC got their revenge later on. If you had predicted that the Cavs would be atop the Easter Conference mountain—above the Celtics, mind you—you were likely in the minority. Yet, as it stands today, Cleveland is in first place, with Boston 5.5 games back.
The Cavaliers have essentially run through their opponents, having lost just nine games. Led by Mitchell, who is averaging 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals, Cleveland is an offensive juggernaut. As for Garland, he’s not doing so bad himself, either. He averages 21.7 points and 6.8 assists per night, shooting a tick shy of 50% from the field. Both his and Mitchell’s three-point shooting are also threatening at 42.5% and 39.8%, which speaks to their efficiency as a backcourt duo.
Then there is Mobley, who is transforming into one of the NBA’s best defensive players and rim protectors. Even with Allen playing as excellent as he is, without Mobley’s presence, it’s possible the Cavs are not where they are right now. Joining Mitchell and Garland as All-Stars is a significant accomplishment for Mobley. Cleveland sending three of its best to the All-Star event is also a significant accomplishment for the franchise.
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