Cavaliers guard Garland said: If he had been healthy, they would have won the championship last season

According to the American sports media F/W columnist Vishwesha Kumar, Garland does not lack confidence. He expressed this very clearly in a recent interview. The Cavaliers guard, who missed part of last season's playoffs with a toe injury, recently claimed that the Cavaliers would be NBA champions if he were healthy. Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Garland made the bold assertion that the Cavaliers have what it takes to go all the way. "I think we're going to win it, I'd say that with a lot of confidence. The talent on this group is just off the charts. The will we have on both sides of the ball is special. Defensively, we have two elite rim protectors. I would say we have the Defensive Player of the Year and probably the second-best defensive big man behind him."

"Evan and JA Blocking shots and protecting the paint, that's a real issue for anybody. And then you look at Evan growing up, Donovan being Donovan, DG coming up, and things starting to click. I feel like I'm playing well in the first round as well." The Cavaliers finished with a 64-18 record, the best in the Eastern Conference and one of the best in franchise history. They have the league's most efficient offense and the eighth-ranked defensive rating.

Mobley was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Mitchell had an MVP-caliber season, averaging 28.9 points per game and finishing fifth in voting. Garland and Mitchell were one of the best backcourt duos in the league before injuries derailed their playoff hopes.

The Cavaliers enter the playoffs as qualified championship contenders. They easily defeated the Heat in the first round, winning five games. But disaster struck in the second round against the Pacers. Garland missed the first two games of the series with a lingering toe injury, and the Cavaliers blew the lead in both games, eventually falling 0-2. He returned in Game 3 to help the Cavaliers pull off a win, but the Pacers' speed and three-point play proved to be too much. The Pacers ended the series in five games, ending a run that many thought the Cavaliers might reach the Finals.

Despite this, some questioned whether the Cavaliers could defeat the eventual champion Thunder, who dominated behind MVP Alexander Alexander to win the title. While the Cavaliers' defense could have matched up well with Mobley and Allen in the paint, the Thunder's depth and versatility at all positions presents unique challenges. Garland's confidence isn't misplaced, though. At only 25 years old, he is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league and the cornerstone of the Cavaliers' future. He underwent offseason surgery to repair the injured toe and described it as essentially a brand new toe, adding that he felt brand new heading into the new season.

The Cavaliers' goal now is clear: prove Garland is right. If the Cavaliers can stay healthy, they have the talent to compete with any team. If Garland's prediction comes true, he will have every reason to prove that last season's Cavaliers were the favorites to compete for the championship.