CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Appearing on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, former NBA star guard-turned-TNT analyst Dwyane Wade had high praise for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland.
“He definitely has a [All-Star] case. When we get to All-Star there’s going to be some snubs around here. We all know that, we all can prepare for it,” Wade said of Garland. “But he’s put together his resume and his resume is as good as anybody's.
"His name should be in the conversation but there definitely will be some competition. There are only a few spots in All-Star and this is when it gets tough. But he's definitely put his resume out there and it's pretty decent."
At least one current NBA player, however, didn't think Wade's praise went far enough.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday evening, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green let Wade know that he doesn't believe there should be any debate about Garland's All-Star status.
"No way DG on the bubble," Green tweeted at Wade, a 13-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion. "All-Star!"
This isn't the first time Green -- who like Garland is represented by Klutch Sports Group -- has praised the Cavs' 22-year-old point guard. Appearing on Warriors Roundtable” on 95.7 The Game last May, the four-time first-team All-Defense selection listed Garland among the toughest players in the league to guard.
“Darius Garland actually,” Green said, according to Cavaliers Nation. “And I know that’s probably an unpopular opinion. That kid is so fast, so herky-jerky and he can shoot the ball. When he really figures out how good he truly is.
“I hate getting switched onto him. It’s rough getting switched onto Darius Garland.”
In the time since, Garland has only improved, earning All-Star-worthy recognition ahead of next month's exhibition in Cleveland. Helping lead the Cavs to a 29-19 record -- the No. 5 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has averaged team-highs of 19.7 points and 8.2 assists.
While there's no questioning Garland's All-Star worthiness, to Wade's point, the competition in the Eastern Conference backcourt will be fierce. But Green isn't the only multi-time All-Star to state his belief of what side of the bubble the Vanderbilt product should be on.
"Darius Garland deserves to be in the All-Star Game," Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, a two-time All-Star, said after Garland recorded a triple-double in a Cavs' win over Utah earlier this month. "A night like tonight, he didn't shoot well and still had a major impact on the game. You could definitely stamp that -- I think you should and all people should. Because what he's doing now is next level."