As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for a decisive Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons in the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals, much of the spotlight remains on veteran guard James Harden and his ability to manage another high-pressure playoff moment.
Behind the scenes, longtime trainer Chuck Ellis has been part of that postseason grind from the opening round through Cleveland’s seven-game battles with Toronto and Detroit. Ellis, a player development specialist and assistant coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, detailed his work with Harden in an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
“We’ve been moving around a lot,” Ellis said. “We had home-court advantage for the Suns series, and then we were on the road a little more for the Detroit series.”
Harden joined Cleveland during the 2025-26 season and helped stabilize the Cavaliers’ offense alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. In 26 regular-season games with the Cavaliers, Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists while shooting 43.5% from 3-point range. During the playoffs, he has averaged 20.9 points and 6.2 assists across 13 games entering Game 7.
Ellis said Harden’s preparation changes depending on the season stage and player profile, explaining that no training program can be copied from one athlete to another.
“Every player isn’t the same, so you can’t have the same package for everyone,” Ellis said. “What I would do with Lou Williams, I wouldn’t do with Marcus Morris. What I would do with Wayne Ellington, I wouldn’t do with James Harden.”
The Philadelphia native also pointed to trust and continuity as the foundation of his relationship with the former MVP.
“We’ve been working together for some years now, so we’re comfortable with each other,” Ellis said. “With the work we put in and the concentration on different details, he knows that I know what I’m talking about.”
While Harden’s step-back jumper and isolation scoring continue to define his public image, Ellis believes another part of the guard’s offensive package deserves more attention.
“His floater,” Ellis said when asked about Harden’s most underrated move. “He might have the best floater in the game today, and honestly, one of the best floaters in modern history.”
Ellis explained that the shot changes defensive coverages because opposing centers must step higher into the lane, opening lob opportunities and passing angles. Harden’s ability to manipulate defenders remains one of the primary reasons Cleveland’s offense has survived long playoff possessions against Detroit’s physical defense.
The trainer also argued that Harden’s influence on the NBA extends beyond scoring numbers. According to Ellis, the guard’s footwork changed how perimeter players attack defenses across the league.
“He changed the game from a footwork aspect,” Ellis said. “Now everybody is doing his footwork, his step-back threes, and his step-aside threes.”
Ellis added that Harden is often judged without enough context surrounding the different roles he has played throughout his career.
“On this team, he has to come in and be a playmaker and a point guard,” Ellis said. “But he is still one of the top five isolation players in the league.”
Cleveland enters Sunday’s Game 7 after splitting the first six games with Detroit. Harden scored 20.9 points per game during the postseason, while Mitchell has led the Cavaliers with 25.6 points per contest in the playoffs.
