James Harden, Donovan Mitchell Reflect On Relationship & Impact on Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Cavs

Donovan Mitchell spent his first few years in Cleveland as the veteran of the Cavaliers roster, but he now has an experienced sidekick in James Harden.

As Mitchell seeks his first championship, he understands the value of having a player like Harden.

"I appreciate when you have a guy like that," Mitchell told ESPN's Jamal Collier. "He's been here. He's been where I'm at and trying to go to. I feel like being able to just talk to each other whenever, good, bad and indifferent."

But the Cavs are different than most of the championship contenders this year since Harden didn't join the team until February when he was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Since Harden is still relatively new to the team, he recognizes the importance of communication.

"I know we are behind," Harden said. "What speeds that process up is communication and talking, helping each other out.

"We have, I don't even know how many games together. So our communication during games, practice days, whatever, on the plane, is very, very important. That can get us over the hump."

It's easy to think that Mitchell could feel pressure to win a championship after coming up short in recent years, but he feels this year's playoff run is more of an opportunity.

"I've been here before, the pressure's really not -- I don't really feel it," Mitchell said. "This isn't pressure. Getting your next meal is pressure. Where am I going to live? You know, that's pressure. This is an opportunity. This is fun.

"At least I know we put our best foot forward regardless of the result. ... In years past, some s--- just didn't go my way. Now I'm like: We made the moves. We've done the talk. Now, just continue to walk the walk."

Harden was on pace for his best offensive season since 2019-20 when he was traded, but he returned to a pass-first role in Cleveland, something Mitchell can appreciate about the former MVP.

"It takes a humility about you," Mitchell said. "You go from scoring 60, 50, 50-point triple-doubles to now, not necessarily doing that, but understanding that, I'm going for Don, but I'm also here to help JA. I'm here to help Evan.

"Everything he said, nothing was about himself."

The Cavs, who survived a seven-game series with the Toronto Raptors in the first round, have some work to do after dropping Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons 111-101.

Cavaliers-Pistons Highlights

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While Detroit controlled Game 1, the Cavs have a chance to steal a game on the road on Thursday before the series heads to Cleveland.