Donovan Mitchell confident about pairing with Harden; updates on Bickerstaff, Dillingham, Brown
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CLEVELAND — Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell said he expects a seamless partnership with newly acquired James Harden in Cleveland’s starting backcourt.
“I’ve never played with a guy like James Harden,” Mitchell told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “We’re not here to figure out who’s bigger or better. How are we going to win? Winning is the end all.” Mitchell added that both players share the same goal and are focused on reaching it together.
Central Division round-up
Bickerstaff lands in Detroit. After being dismissed by the Cavaliers following the 2023/24 season, J.B. Bickerstaff wondered if he would coach again. He told Heavy.com’s Steve Bulpett that a month away from the game allowed him to reassess before new Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon offered him Detroit’s head-coaching job. “The focus should always be on the process,” Bickerstaff said, noting he became too results-oriented in his final year in Cleveland.
Dillingham gets extended look in Chicago. Lottery pick Rob Dillingham struggled to earn minutes with Minnesota but has averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 24.7 minutes over three games since joining the Bulls. Coach Billy Donovan told the Chicago Sun-Times that Dillingham must balance aggression with smarter decisions in the paint while continuing to attack the rim.
Brown sees opportunity with Pacers. Indiana added guard Kobe Brown in the trade that also brought center Ivica Zubac from the Clippers. Brown, who averaged 8.7 minutes in Los Angeles, said he is “grateful” for a larger role with a Pacers team that reached last season’s NBA Finals. The rookie has appeared in two games for Indiana, starting once against Brooklyn.
Source: Hoops Rumors
