Jaylon Tyson says one thing specifically stands out about the Cleveland Cavaliers' new star guard, James Harden.
James Harden has only been with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a little over a week, having played three games and attended a couple of film sessions with his new team. The Cavaliers have yet to have a full team practice, but Rising Star Jaylon Tyson has already learned quite a bit about his new teammate.
Ahead of Friday’s Rising Stars competition, Tyson was asked about Harden, and the Cavaliers forward said he’s learned that Harden is “really good at pick and roll, really good player.”
Of course, those have been calling cards of Harden’s play style throughout his career; what has really stood out to Tyson has been his interactions with Harden off the floor.
“One thing I learned about him, especially James Harden, is like, obviously you see him as the scorer, all the accolades, but his will to win and his want to win is something that's special that I notice about him,” explained Tyson.
"Honestly, like, he has a perception about himself, about him off the court, and everybody has a narrative about him, but he's actually a super cool dude, and obviously, I've been around him for a couple of days, but he’s a super cool dude.”
Dec 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesThe Cavaliers are full of competitive players who have winning as their No. 1 priority, with Tyson being one of them and Donovan Mitchell the other. Based on what the sophomore is saying about Harden’s willingness to win, he’ll be a perfect long-term fit with the team, too.
In the first three games of the Harden era, the Cavaliers are 3-0, and the new guard has fit like a glove; he’s been able to find his opportunities to score without other team members seeing their roles diminish.
For example, in those three contests, Tyson himself is averaging 11 points while shooting 40 percent from the floor and 36 percent from behind the arc.
There’s still a lot that must get worked out, but Harden’s ability to rub off on the young Cavaliers players is already being felt, and Tyson’s comments are a perfect example of this.
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