The Cavaliers’ backcourt problem has been hanging around ever since Donovan Mitchell arrived, and it keeps circling back to the same issue: defense. Cleveland has tried to patch it in different ways, but the fit between Mitchell and James Harden is still forcing the conversation.
Harden has brought more size to the guard spots, and that has helped Cleveland inside. His strength gives him an edge against slower, bigger players, and the Cavaliers have leaned into that by putting him on opposing power forwards at times.
But that advantage only goes so far. Opponents still look to force switches and drag Harden onto the perimeter against quicker guards, while Mitchell has become a secondary target in those same actions.
Because of that, Kenny Atkinson has often staggered their minutes.
That setup may be pointing the Cavaliers toward a tougher choice. If the guards simply are not working together for long stretches, Atkinson may have to consider bringing Harden off the bench and pairing Mitchell with a bigger, faster wing instead.
The numbers back up the concern. Mitchell’s second-worst two-man lineup is with Harden, posting a minus-6.6 net rating in 118 minutes. By contrast, Mitchell and Sam Merrill have a 25.7 positive net rating in 101 minutes, and Mitchell with Jaylon Tyson sits at 15.8 in 65 minutes.
The Cavaliers are still early in the season, and the starting five as a whole has a minus-20.1 net rating. Harden is not carrying all of that blame, and the source material makes clear that the issue is broader than one player. Even so, the fit remains awkward enough to keep showing up in the numbers.
Harden has actually been productive, especially later in games. He is averaging 6.5 points in the first two quarters and 10.8 in the last two. Mitchell’s scoring has been steadier across the game, with only a slight lean toward the first half.
Late-game execution is another area where Harden has stood out. He has been one of Cleveland’s best closers and has outperformed Mitchell in the clutch so far.
Mitchell has not made a three-pointer in clutch minutes and is shooting 66.7 percent on clutch free throws. Harden is not blowing anyone away there, but he has looked more composed than Mitchell.
Still, the Cavaliers keep trying to make Mitchell work next to a traditional point guard, even though the evidence keeps pointing in a different direction. Mitchell appears to function better with a sharpshooting wing who can cover for his defensive issues, while Harden - one of the greatest passers in league history - seems to thrive more with shooters and cutters than with Mitchell. His best two-man net rating has come with Tyrese Proctor and Sam Merrill, a pair of quick wings who can handle the ball, shoot and defend.
Even with all that, Cleveland knows why Harden starts. He is not the MVP-level version of himself anymore, but he still carries far more offensive gravity than the other options. Moving him to the bench might look cleaner on paper, but the Cavaliers understand the intangibles would not necessarily fall in line with that plan.
In Other News...
Cavs Just Unlocked A Formula The Bucks Couldnt Handle
The Cavaliers found a way to make life miserable for Milwaukee by leaning into the size and skill of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and it showed on both ends of the floor. Allen and Mobley were central to the game plan, giving Cleveland a steadier interior presence than the Bucks could handle while also helping set the tone defensively. Donovan Mitchell and Mario Hezonja chipped in as well, but the night was defined by how often Cleveland could turn to its frontcourt and keep the pressure on.
For the Bucks, the problem was less about one hot hand than a broader inability to keep Clevelands bigs from dictating the action. Milwaukees defense struggled to contain the Cavaliers inside, and the matchup exposed just how difficult it can be when Cleveland gets that part of its offense rolling. Tyler Herro also came up short of expectations, adding to a night in which the Bucks never quite found the answer to the Cavaliers interior edge. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs May Have Found The Offensive Formula Fans Wanted
Kenny Atkinson made it clear he wanted Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley more involved offensively, and the Cavaliers responded in a way that looked a lot like the kind of balance this roster has been chasing. Against Milwaukee, Cleveland leaned into its size and kept working the ball inside, a formula that put pressure on a Bucks defense that struggled to hold up around the rim.
The result was a convincing 136-111 win built on interior dominance and a frontcourt that kept the offense humming. Mobley and Allen were central to that push, and the Cavs spent the night attacking the paint with enough consistency to make the matchup feel lopsided long before the final buzzer. The bigger question now is whether this was a one-night answer or the start of something Cleveland can keep repeating. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Finally Unleashed The Style Fans Have Been Waiting For
For much of the night, the ball kept moving and the shots kept falling, the kind of rhythm Cleveland has been chasing as it tries to look less like a collection of scorers and more like a complete offense. The Cavaliers rolled to a 25-point win behind a balanced attack, with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen doing major damage inside while James Harden and Donovan Mitchell spent more time setting the table than taking over the meal.
It was the sort of performance that can change the tone of a locker room and the way opponents game-plan for Cleveland, especially with role players like Sam Merrill and Meleek Thomas adding useful minutes off the bench. Thomas chipped in 10 points and brought defense, and the bigger question now is whether this was just a one-night burst or the start of the style fans have been waiting to see more often. [Read more 🡒]