Major James Harden Critique, Not a Concern for Cavaliers

James Harden has been wildly successful throughout his 17-year NBA career. 

As Cleveland Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman, pointed out during his post-trade deadline press conference, Harden has made the playoffs every single year of his career – that's 16 times – while maintaining his prowess as one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, even now at the ripe old age of 36. 

And yet, his career has been defined by a series of unceremonious postseason exits. Some of those have come with Harden delivering some of his worst performances in elimination games when the season is on the line. 

As Harden joins the Cavaliers following a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Clipper that sent young guard Darius Garland to the west coast in exchange for the former MVP, there's no running from that history. 

Altman, however, isn't sweating it. 

"There's some elimination games that he probably wishes he had back," Altman said. "Probably five really bad games out of 173 playoff games. But overall, certainly raises his level, raises our level." 

Since leaving OKC in 2012, Harden-led teams have been bounced in the first round five times. They've lost in the second round an additional six times. He's made two conference finals, one in 2016, where his Houston Rockets were hastily disposed of in five games by the 73-win Golden State Warriors.

The second, appearance, also featured a matchup with Golden State two years later, and while that showdown produced a dazzling seven-game affair, Harden produced an inefficient 32-point effort, shooting 41% from the floor and 15% from three in a loss. 

The biggest difference in this opportunity from Altman's perspective is that it won't all be on him to carry the offensive burden when things get tight in the postseason. 

"It's hard being the No. 1 option on a championship-level team," said Altman. "I think, the good news for him is he has another No. 1 option right next to him [in Donovan Mitchell]. He has incredible shooting around him. He has two incredible bigs from a defensive standpoint and skillset that really help him. 

"And so it's not James coming in here as the No. 1 option, having to carry a team on his back and beat the 73-win Golden State Warrior-world beaters. That's not what we're asking him to do here." 

Harden has played more of a secondary role in some of his more recent situations. In LA he played alongside two-time NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard. In Philadelphia before that, he formed a dynamic duo with Joel Embiid for a season-and-a-half. He even made a brief stop in Brooklyn to team up with Kyrie Irving and reunite with his former teammate Kevin Durant, in 2021. 

None of those teams advanced further than the conference semifinals. Los Angeles never even got out of the first round. Regardless, Altman remains adamant that Harden raises their ceiling. 

"I'm really excited about, when it gets to a chaotic time in the playoffs and we're on the road and it's a fever pitch, being able to throw the ball to him and calm this thing down, let's get a good possession," Altman said. "We've gone to the playoffs the last few years, largely as a young team. Not a very experienced playoff team, trying to figure it out. Now I think we're adding a tremendous amount of experience and know-how."

Sometimes it's all about timing. The Cavaliers find themselves on the brink of competing for a title, but have been unable to get over the hump when it matters most. Harden, gets it, he's spent a decade-and-a-half being labeled a playoff choker. 

Maybe Cleveland and Harden need each other. 

"James is motivated. Highly, highly motivated," Altman added. "He knows this is the last piece to his legacy, and he sees a great chance with us." 

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