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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 01: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers adjusted part of their game-day routine after acquiring James Harden at the trade deadline.

Since the midseason deal from the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland is 18-6 with Harden in the lineup. The team has also produced the most efficient offense in the NBA during that stretch.

And as the Cavaliers (50-29, fourth in the Eastern Conference) enter Wednesday’s home affair against the Atlanta Hawks, one of Harden’s only requests has stepped into the spotlight.

After joining the team, he wanted them to focus on preparation. He asked the Cavaliers to hold walk-through sessions in hotel ballrooms on days without shootarounds — something he had done at previous stops, but it wasn’t part of Cleveland’s routine before the trade.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned he wasn’t convinced at first. Film sessions had usually handled that part of preparation.

But when they tried, it worked.

Change Has Benefited The Cavaliers

The adjustment is simple. Coaches map out a court on the ballroom floor using tape. Players walk through defensive coverages, offensive sets, and opponent tendencies at a controlled pace.

“It’s just preparation, detail, you get ready for the game,” Harden explained to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon on Tuesday. “Physically you get out and move around, and mentally you have to be prepared. It’s just preparation man, especially going into this run that we are about to go into. I think the focus is making sure we know who we’re playing against and individual guys and what they like to do with their tendencies. Just going to give us an advantage and hopefully we can play better.”

The sessions focus on communication and positioning without adding physical strain, especially during travel-heavy stretches of the schedule.

For the Cavs, it added structure to a part of the day that was previously handled through film.

Why It Matters Now Ahead of the Postseason

Cleveland won its first five games after the deal and has continued to produce at a high level. Harden has added stability without slowing the team down.

He gives the Cavs a reliable option in half-court sets while still allowing the offense to flow. They continue to move the ball and play with pace, but now have more control when possessions tighten up.

That balance has been consistent throughout this stretch.

Integrating a high-usage veteran guard like Harden midseason typically requires adaptation across the roster. But the Cavaliers have kept their identity built on ball movement and spacing.

Harden, who’s averaging 18.8 points and 8.6 assists over his last five outings, has worked seamlessly within that system while adding control in half-court situations.

Atkinson said the transition has been smooth, with minimal changes needed to accommodate Harden’s style.

The walk-through sessions have helped reinforce that.

Players are able to talk through assignments earlier in the day, which reduces hesitation during games. Instead of reacting on the fly, they’ve already gone through those situations. And the consistency has carried onto the floor.

Cleveland is expected to keep the same preparation routine. The next step is sustaining this performance against stronger East opponents in the coming weeks. Consistency on both ends will determine how far this group can go.

For now, a small, albeit impactful change in preparation has become part of the Cavaliers’ routine. And it has aligned with a stretch of improved offensive flow and abundant success.

Derek Hryn Derek Hryn is a writer for Heavy.com. He has extensive experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, along with providing expert fantasy football analysis for DraftKings and SB Nation. His work has been featured at Sports Illustrated, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others. More about Derek Hryn

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