On October 14, 2025, Evan Mobley’s trainer, Olin Simplis, made headlines by stating that if Mobley had been more involved in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offense during the previous season, the team might have secured the NBA title. Simplis emphasized Mobley’s “MVP-level potential” and likened his defensive prowess to that of Kevin Garnett. A claim, Kevin Garnett disagrees with.

When Cavs star Darius Garland appeared on SiriusXM NBA Radio on X, he confidently stated, “I think we would have won it. I say that pretty confidently.” directly disagreeing with Simplis.

Darius Garland also added, “I think we wouldn’t want to win it just—the talent of this group is just out-the-roof. The will that we have on both sides of the ball, defense side, got two Defensive Players of the Year,”. He highlighted Mobley and Jarrett Allen as crucial rim protectors: “With Evan and Jay down there blocking shots, protecting the paint, I think that was going to really help us on that side of the ball.”

He also highlighted the team’s offensive growth and depth. “Then Evan growing, Donovan being Donovan, of course, Dre was coming along, Max Strus is coming along. I felt I was pretty good in the first round. So yeah, I’ll say that confidently, I think we would’ve.”

Everyone speculated on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ victory in the 2024-25 season. After earning the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed with a 64-18 record, the Cavs entered the playoffs with championship hopes. However, their second-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers quickly pivoted. Cleveland was “essentially run off the floor” by Indiana, falling 4-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Then there were the injuries. Garland dealt with a sprained big toe, and Donovan Mitchell battled a sprained ankle and calf strain. Garland, who underwent offseason surgery on his toe. After all, he was a key figure in the team’s lineup. In over 75 games, he averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc. His injury was an irreversible setback. These setbacks created questions for coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff moving forward.

And it is exactly this that Simplis was referring to. However, he suggested that a shift in focus could have altered the outcome. He emphasized that Mobley should be a central figure in the offense, stating, “Mobley needs 15+ shots a game… anything less is a failure by the gameplan and guards… he’s very efficient. Get the man the ball.”

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Hopes rising for Darius Garland’s return

The Cleveland Cavaliers are definitely eying the championship this year. If the pre-season games were any indication, with a 1-3 score, they need guard Darius Garland. And recent update on his health is making fans hopeful. HC Atkinson shared, Dg has shown encouraging strides in his recovery from left big toe surgery. This had sidelined him for four to five months. But Garland recently participated in live five-on-five drills with the extra work group, describing it as “very short” but an important step forward. Atkinson emphasized the approach, noting, “We know that this is not an easy injury to come back from… I side on the side of being conservative and making sure that this is a good step today. A small step, but a good step.”

Coach Atkinson has always relied on science-backed recovery practices for injuries. “Pretty much anything I ask in terms of physical output, they can give me, whether it’s a practice situation or game now with all the data we’re getting, intensity level, accelerations, decelerations, distance run, whatever we’re kind of looking for.” He shared on using data-backed integration of sports science.

The Cavs are scheduled to open the regular season on Oct. 22 at the New York Knicks. They are not rushing Garland’s return. Instead, they are focusing on the long-term stakes for their championship aspirations. With key players Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and De’Andre Hunter holding the fort, Cleveland aims to build around Garland until he returns fully healthy. The organization does seem hopeful to “throw a party when the playoffs end,”  but will they be able to match up to their own championship ambitions?