For some purpose, staff after staff retains making the identical mistake with James Harden. Irrespective of what number of occasions he comes up quick within the playoffs, groups hold bringing him and rationalizing the scenario. The one factor that may change his legacy of failure is the one factor he can by no means do.
In the event you stand again and take a look at Harden solely below the sunshine of his common season efficiency, he is one of many best guards within the historical past of the league. Love him or hate him, the numbers converse for themselves. It is a heavy hitter who wins video games, it doesn’t matter what staff he’s on.
Do not imagine the stats? Take a look at the accolades. NBA MVP, 11-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA First Crew, Sixth Man of the 12 months, three-time scoring champion, and two-time help champion. That’s the resume of a verified, bona fide Naismith Corridor of Famer within the making. That is simply how it’s.
Playoffs Harden is a very completely different beast
The issue is Common Season Harden is that man. Playoffs Harden is a very completely different beast. His shot disappears, and he turns the ball over a lot that he would possibly as effectively simply begin passing on to the opposite staff. The Cavs positive discovered that out the exhausting approach and can hold making that mistake.
On the 2026 Commerce Deadline, the Cavaliers and the Clippers have been concerned in a deal that despatched Harden to Cleveland whereas Darius Garland moved to Los Angeles. The Cavs thought they have been getting the man who would nail down their playoff possibilities. As a substitute, he went full Harden and price them every little thing.
The unusual half was that Harden requested the commerce even though the Clippers have been doing comparatively effectively this season. That is who Harden has grow to be: a team-jumper nonetheless chasing a hoop 17 seasons into his profession however by no means staying wherever lengthy sufficient to truly construct momentum.
James Harden is his personal worst enemy
In 17 seasons, Harden has performed for six groups. The one staff he stayed with for a protracted interval was the Rockets, the place he spent 9 seasons, and the overwhelming majority of his accolades have been collected there. It was arguably the height of his profession, as it has been a combined bag since then.
Whereas Harden has picked up an honor or two since, he is greatest recognized for leaping groups, botching the playoffs, blaming everybody however himself, and repeating the cycle some other place. It is occurred with the Nets, the 76ers, the Clippers, and now the Cavs. Even worse, it is going to hold taking place.
In the end, the one approach for Harden to shake this picture is to truly win an NBA Championship. That is getting much less and fewer possible with each passing season. Until Harden lastly decides to take possession of no matter points are holding him again within the playoffs and repair them, nothing will change.
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