The Cavaliers“The inconsistent start to the season has not wavered Donovan MitchellThe belief that the team is talented enough to compete for the title, writes ESPN’s Jamal Collier. Cleveland is off to a 6-6 start and the team’s up-and-down nature was reflected this week in a double-digit loss at Charlotte on Monday, followed by a win over the defending champions on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
Questions remain about what the Cavs’ ceiling might be with a starting lineup of two ball-handling guards, Mitchell and James Harden and two defensive men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Cavaliers have had a history of disappointing playoffs since Mitchell arrived in 2022, and despite reaching the conference finals last season, they barely contended until New York swept them.
“There’s a lot of faith in this group” Mitchell said. “And how we’ve been able to fight through some adversity and keep getting better and better.”
Mitchell made a huge commitment to the organization this summer, Collier adds, agreeing to a four-year, $273 million extension when he could have potentially made another $80 million by waiting another year. Mitchell has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay in Cleveland, and he didn’t want contract speculation to be a distraction this season.
“If doubt remains in the organization, it’s not very good” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Everybody’s just unsettled. So the fact that Don locked it down was huge. It’s like a sigh of relief. You know you’re going to have your leader and that gives you stability. It helps you just move forward faster.”
There are more from the Central Division:
- Harden made a statement with 32 points in a win at New York, his season-high for Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Harden noted that he is still making adjustments after coming in Cavaliers in the February trade. “I’m still trying to figure it out” he said. “I think this is my 18th year, so my name is James Harden. I used to score a lot. Now I’m still scoring, but I’m also finding other ways to impact the game. And I think that’s something that people probably don’t realize.”
- Pistons security guard Cade Cunningham had a historic night with 52 points, 11 assists and no turnovers in Thursday’s double-overtime win over Washington. According to ESPNCunningham is the first player since at least 1978 to score 50 points and 10 assists in a game without a turnover. “It was definitely the best thing I’ve done in my NBA career,” he said.
- Pacers center Ivitsa Zubak is working on adding a solid 3-pointer to his arsenal, but isn’t ready to reveal it during games yet, says Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “I don’t want to put a timeline on it” he said. “I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but we’re working on it pretty much every day. I feel a little more comfortable and comfortable, but still not comfortable enough to take them into the game. I think the reps and working on it every day will help. My confidence is better.”
