Thinking Basketball #362: The East race post deadline; 1-on-1 Tourney?
Feb 18, 2026
They break down how James Harden’s move to Cleveland reshapes the East and what that means for Boston, Detroit and New York. They debate Cleveland’s rotation changes and matchup questions against big frontline teams. All-Star Weekend highlights get recap, including a pitch to replace the dunk contest with a 1-on-1 tournament and reactions to standout moments and performances.
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Ben's All-Star Saturday Experience
- Ben attended All-Star Saturday and described wandering the concourse and running into former players like Terry Porter and Ralph Sampson.
- He said the arena felt oddly empty in seats but lively outside them, making the experience delightful.
Swap Dunk Contest For One-On-One Tourney
- Replace the dunk contest with a one-on-one tournament to spotlight star competitiveness and skill.
- Use specific rules (short shot clock, foul mechanics) to keep games fast and strategic.
Harden Move Elevates Cleveland On Paper
- Cleveland's acquisition of James Harden and role pieces like Keon Ellis aims to reduce offensive burdens on Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.
- Cody sees this shift as moving Cleveland into the top tier of Eastern Conference contenders on paper.