Cleveland Cavaliers · 10 notes
James Harden "had a full practice," Kenny Atkinson said, "so assume he's going to play and start" in Cleveland's second preseason game. Atkinson thinks everybody is available, and the Cavaliers will "increase the minutes too for our main guys."
Jarrett Allen is paired with Donovan Mitchell again in Cleveland, recalling being told they had "the number 1 pick and roll in the NBA." He called Evan Mobley and James Harden "an incredible pairing": Harden driving and lobbing to Mobley, or Mobley handling off Harden's screen.
Cleveland has reshuffled its guard-big pairings in preseason: James Harden now plays with Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell with Jarrett Allen. Mitchell said coach Kenny Atkinson and the players agreed it together. "I think it allows for James and Ev to grow a connection."
Tyrese Proctor has exceeded expectations in Cavaliers camp, Donovan Mitchell said: stronger, and picking up Mitchell and James Harden full court. "He's kind of taken that Jaylon Tyson role last year." Sam Merrill praised his shooting and his defense on the ball.
Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell are "kind of the backup point guards for each other," Kenny Atkinson said, so the Cavaliers' backup spot "doesn't necessarily have to be a point guard." How to split them with James Harden and Jarrett Allen: "we haven't decided yet."
James Harden was "a little under the weather" at the Cavaliers' scrimmage in Spain and "could have easily just not played," Sam Merrill said. Harden played anyway; Merrill credited the roughly 10,000 fans, mostly kids, cheering him. Kenny Atkinson: "I don't see any slippage."
Craig Porter Jr calls Cleveland's backup point guard job "wide open" after offseason trades and wants to prove he can lead the second unit. Why it matters, he says: playoff relief for James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. "James is going to get double teamed."
Cavaliers 2/4 Atkinson wants more Cleveland playmakers beyond James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, urging Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson to be more aggressive. He also won't force-feed Evan Mobley isolations as early last season; Mobley does best in the system's flow.
Cavaliers 1/4 Kenny Atkinson said the Cavaliers have no plan to hold James Harden under 30 minutes a game: "He's such a durable athlete and he knows how to manage his body so well." Atkinson wants Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson guarding opponents' best players.
On how Meleek Thomas and the other young players earn minutes, Atkinson said he looks first for "the competitive spirit," then for grasping how to play around James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, a big adjustment for players used to being the best on their team.