Cavaliers Coach Praises James Harden for Key Part of Game

When James Harden broke out in the NBA over a decade ago with the Oklahoma City Thunder and then the Houston Rockets, it was primarily his scoring ability that opposing teams focused on. Deservedly so, Harden is still today considered one of the best scorers the league has ever seen.

However, the guard has developed into being a much more well-rounded player, and that’s one of the key reasons the Cleveland Cavaliers opted to trade for him ahead of this year’s deadline.

That move is seemingly paying off in many areas, but one of the big ones is in late-game, clutch-time situations when Cleveland has needed a game manager on the floor.

Since the trade deadline, the Cavaliers have had an offensive rating of 132.5 in clutch situations, and that’s in large part because of the addition of Harden.

There’s no secret to the success either. “Give [Harden] the ball and get out of the way,” said head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Of course, there’s more to it than just Harden, but Cleveland’s coach credits the star guard’s ability to read the game is what starts it all. 

“We do some stuff, [have added] some sets in, but… 99 percent of it is James Harden making the right play, and the willingness to make the right play, the willingness to get off it,” explained Atkinson. 

“Whatever the defense dictates, he’ll take what they give him, and he’ll make the right play. To me, that wins. That’s why our clutch rating is so good.”

On top of Harden simply knowing what play to make, Atkinson also said that Harden is an incredible on-floor communicator. With his teammates knowing where to be and where to go, that only makes Cleveland’s clutch-time efficiency that much better.

“He’s coaching it, too,” Atkinson continued. “It’s not just making the plays, he’s coaching with the guys out there, and that’s what the great quarterbacks do.”

Two perfect examples of Harden’s elite late-game execution came in Cleveland’s win over the Golden State Warriors last Friday, and then again against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

The Cavaliers are bound to play at least one, likely more, close games when the playoffs roll around. Cleveland can feel comfortable with how its team can function in those scenarios with Harden leading the charge, and that’s not something it's been able to say in the past years.

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