Serious question for everyone: Would it have been better for the Cavs if they had lost in 6 or 7 to the Pistons instead of being swept in humiliating fashion by the Knicks? These final two games on their home court have been an absolute disgrace.
Would have been a much more entertaining series than having Harden ptsd. The way this guy continues to never show up when it counts needs to be studied.
What? The Cavs had won 10 of their previous 12 games when they traded for Harden. They had a 60% winning percentage and were, I believe, the 4 seed at the time. They ended the season at 63% and as the 4 seed. Do people just make things up?
Right? It's weird to blame age when the problems have been the same since his Houston days. It's not that his teams lose - that's a team thing. It's that he individually routinely disappears in elimination games. In the 3 elimination games this postseason, Harden went 2-10, 3-9, and 2-10. He had 7 total field goals and 8 turnovers. 39 pts for a total of 13 pts per game - vs 23 in the regular season. No other star player has ever had this type of issue to this degree. Lots of stars lose big games - most of them do every year. But they don't generally suck in them all. Harden didn't suddenly get old in elimination games only.
The sad thing is you will never convince his die hard fan club members. He’ll put up like 18, 7 and 5 in the regular season next year and the cult members will buy in again only to pretend like none of his playoff failures ever happened.
Can you name one really old guy say 37+ and they traded for him to lead a team, that won a ring after being traded for? I honestly can't think of a single instance. DD
I think he was 35 or 36. Close enough. And I’m no LeBron fan and I hate the Lakers. Ya ya obviously bubble but it still counts.
I guess the Cavs have no choice because if I were the Cavs I would be looking to get off the Harden train but it seems Harden wants to stay with the Cavs and instead of declining his player option for next season to become a FA he instead will sign a 2 yr extension with the Cavs for 75M. 2027-28 will be his player option. The Cavs will potentially have him on the payroll through 2028‐29 if he picks up his option next off season.
He is not a basketball great, said it for years after he was paired here with CP3. He'd rather go party rather than hit gym and fix his game, watch flim and be prepared or help another teammate get their act together so the team could win. Money stealing genius in a dumb society. He will NEVER be the reason a team wins a title, the facts are he always has a terrible game when team needs a leader. No Kobe, MJ, Magic, Dream or Bird.
[Highlights] James Harden full FOOTAGE vs. New York Knicks last night (130-93 L) - Game 4 - Eastern Conference Finals - 2026 NBA Playoffs: 12 Points on 2/8 FG, 0/6 from 3, 8/9 FT (88.9%), 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists (5 TOV), 1 Steal, 1 Block, 2 PF, and a +/- of -19 in 32:56 minutes played.
I don't think many people fault the Cavs for wanting to part with Darius Garland. He was the worst possible match with Donovan Mitchell. Even with Harden's age and deficiencies on defense, if he would have brought his "A" game on offense as a playmaker in the playoffs, Cavs would have beaten the Pistons in 5 games and won at least a couple of games against the Knicks. I think Harden's faceplanting in the playoffs compared to the regular season is his defining career legacy.
James - Mitchell - Harden? LeBron and Harden on the cheap They should be able to shore up other positions Rocket River
