The Cleveland Cavaliers are 36-21 and fourth in the Eastern Conference and are riding a seven-game winning streak after reshaping their roster at the trade deadline.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson answered the biggest question surrounding the franchise’s bold move to pair Donovan Mitchell with James Harden: Can two elite pick-and-roll guards share the same floor without sacrificing rhythm?
“I don’t know, it’s hard to compare because they’re all so different,” said Atkinson when asked by Brandon “Spoon B” Robinson about star duos he has coached in the past. “This is different. I think you have two great pick-and-roll ballhandlers at the same time. So that’s a little bit different. And that’s part of our challenge as a coaching staff to make this all fit.”
He directly acknowledged the concerns. “You could say there might be redundancy.”
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4 in exchange for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick. The move marked a shift toward experience and late-game shotmaking as the postseason approaches.
Through five games with the Cavaliers, Harden is averaging 18.4 points, 8.6 assists and shooting 49.1% from the field and 48.1% from three. Mitchell continues to be the offensive engine with 28.8 points per game, with 5.9 assists and 3.6 made threes per night.
Atkinson believes the numbers reflect balance and not overlap. “The balance was pretty good. The balance is pretty good.”
When Mitchell takes the initiative, harden spaces beyond the arc or attack secondary closeouts. When Harden controls the pace, Mitchell becomes a downhill cutter or a catch-and-shoot threat. Two decision makers reduce defensive predictability late in the game.
The Cavaliers have also leaned on stability in the frontcourt. Evan Mobley is posting 17.7 points and 8.8 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen is shooting 62.7% from the field. Their presence anchors the paint and keeps the offense efficient around the guards.
Atkinson shifted the discussion from tactics to mentality. “It all starts with character,” he says. “When you have such good characters, things usually work out.”
Cleveland’s deadline activity extended beyond Harden. The team added Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis for backcourt depth and moved Lonzo Ball for financial flexibility, promoting Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a standard contract.
The result is a roster built for half-court execution and playoff ownership. With Detroit leading the conference 42-13 and Boston hot on its heels, Cleveland’s margin for error remains slim.
#Kenny #Atkinson #Addresses #MitchellHarden #Fit #TalkBasket.net