Harden: I and Mitchell complement each other perfectly, giving us a chance to contend for the championship. The last time I felt this way was with the Nets.

On March 7 Beijing time, the Cavaliers held a team training session to prepare for upcoming games. Harden spoke with media after training, discussing topics like Mitchell and the championship. Below is the interview transcript —

Reporter: Before you arrived, this team was already highly regarded. But now you've been with them for weeks. What have you learned from being with them personally that you didn't see on tape?

Harden: Nothing.

Reporter: Anything surprising?

Harden: Well, no. I'm just saying, being in this environment now, from top to bottom, feels really great. Our team is truly excellent. Even though we haven't had a full roster most of the time, with players coming and going and still adjusting, we just have a chance (to contend).

Reporter: You said it feels great, but the lineup keeps changing and you haven't practiced much together. Why are you so confident? That sounds incredible.

Harden: I haven't even properly meshed with everyone yet; my finger was injured, I only played sporadically, and I didn't play well myself. But even so, the team still has great potential—that's the most positive thing. So I think these remaining 19 games are crucial for us. Obviously important for many teams, but especially for us because we are good enough.

We don't practice much normally, so lineup chemistry and in-game adjustments have to happen on the fly during games. But I think our team is smart enough, and the coaches are great; we can handle it. Even in those two losses we had earlier, both Mitchell and I played poorly; otherwise we should have won those games.

Reporter: Speaking of Mitchell, what's the key to you building chemistry so quickly? Time is clearly limited, but you already seem very compatible.

Harden: Everything is about in-game adaptation, figuring it out while playing. But he's not selfish, very confident in his game, and eager to win at the highest level. And I'm the same: confident in myself, not selfish, and eager for high-level victories. We complement each other perfectly, plus the team and system fit well too; it all comes together naturally.

Reporter: You and Merrill often run that split action at the top of the key. What do you like most about that play? How does it help you both?

Harden: Merrill is one of the top shooters in the league. His movement creates defensive confusion, allowing me to attack the rim. Either he gets a wide-open shot, or he triggers a chain reaction that lets me continue driving and make the next play.

For all of us, the core is creating advantages. Whenever I, Mitchell, or anyone creates an advantage, nine times out of ten we get a great shot opportunity. The more such sequences we have in a game, our offense becomes more formidable. On defense, we emphasize the same principles every day. On both ends, we have the chance to be a dominant team.

Reporter: You just said you feel the team "has a chance (to contend)." When was the last time you felt this way?

Harden: Probably back in Brooklyn. I've played 17 years in this league and haven't won a championship yet. It's really tough. You have to be strong enough, stay healthy, and have some luck. Health is most important, then you have to be strong.

We're not talking about the championship right now. The first step is: we are strong enough, and then we must stay healthy. Over the years I've seen too many injuries, experienced them myself, and luck hasn't always been on my side. But that's part of the game. If we can stay healthy, we have a chance.

Reporter: You were close to a championship in Oklahoma City and Houston. Now as a player nearing that opportunity again, how does it feel?

Harden: We're not close yet. There are 19 games left in the regular season, we have a lot to do, don't misunderstand. But from top to bottom, our roster is more than sufficient.

Reporter: You haven't played many possessions with Mobley as the single big—only about 50. How do you see his style differing from Allen's? How do you need to adapt to his different screens?

Harden: It's not just about him; it's also about me—I need to find ways to play more aggressively and make the team better. Also, put him in more comfortable positions.

It depends on who's defending us: if a big guard is on him and the defense drops back, I attack the rim or give him the ball in the mid-post; if they switch and we have a size mismatch, I need to get the ball closer to the basket so he can attack in one or two steps. It's really about grinding it out possession by possession. More opportunities on the court, we'll be better.

Reporter: You mentioned earlier that you haven't had much practice time since joining. In this schedule you practice today and tomorrow. How important do you think these two days of training are for building chemistry?

Harden: I think the key is communication, watching film, and seizing and utilizing every opportunity. Today we did well on both offense and defense, refining details, including situations from past games and ones we'll face again, ensuring we grasp and master them. Once we master them through practice, we have nothing to fear.

Seize the training opportunities, then carry the effects into games. Not many teams in the league have much training time now; the schedule is too packed. But we'll use games to build chemistry. I think we're ready for Monday's game.