Mobley Sees Immediate Upside in Pairing With Harden as Cavaliers Gear Up for Celtics
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CLEVELAND—Forward Evan Mobley already notices the advantages of sharing the court with veteran guard James Harden, who joined the Cleveland Cavaliers nine games ago.
“He’s not scared to take risks,” Mobley said after Saturday’s practice. “There’s a lot of benefits with how he just controls the game.”
Harden’s quick chemistry with Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill has been on display since his arrival. Mobley missed several of Harden’s initial appearances because of a calf strain, limiting their shared minutes. The duo has logged only five games and 99 total minutes together, but the early numbers are strong: Cleveland is producing 118.4 points per 100 possessions and surrendering 102.3 when both are on the floor.
The new partnership could receive a significant test on Sunday when the Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics. With Allen sidelined by lingering knee soreness, Mobley is expected to handle primary center duties, increasing potential pick-and-roll action with Harden.
“I’ve got to be dominating the paint, setting good screens and being aggressive,” Mobley said. Learning Harden’s timing remains a work in progress, he added: “Tendencies are the main thing—how they like to throw it, when they want to attack. As you play with him, you learn more and more.”
For now, Cleveland is encouraged by the sample size. “We’ve done a great job so far,” Mobley said. “We just have to keep sharpening it.”
Source: Hoops Wire
