James Harden is already winning over his teammates after his blockbuster trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former MVP has played three games for his new franchise, doing his part to help the Cavs win all three contests. Harden’s fit still appears to be a work in progress, and the wins suggest he and the Cavaliers are trending in the right direction.
James Harden’s Cavaliers Teammate Lauds the Veteran Guard’s Underrated Skillset
Per AP News, James Harden’s teammate Jaylon Tyson remarked how he didn’t realize how much of a defensive presence ‘The Beard’ could be until he was his teammate.
“The offensive part, nothing’s really surprised me, but defensively, he’s actually pretty good. He got a couple of blocks. He’s definitely not what you call a cone,” Tyson said.
Tyson’s take comes after the seasoned playmaker’s first full practice session with the Cavaliers since the trade that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for their established star.
Also weighing in was superstar Donovan Mitchell, “We haven’t even gotten to playing a two-man game together, and what that looks like. So I think as we build, you’ll start seeing that as well. But I think the biggest thing now is we found something that works.”
Per reports, Harden had only been part of film sessions and walk-throughs since the trade. However, he has made a quick impact, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists with Cleveland. Two of the games saw him record double-doubles.
Cavaliers finally get a full practice with James Harden coming out of All-Star break
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Before the move, Harden recorded his highest scoring average of 25.4 points per game in his 44 starts with the Clippers. This was his highest since the 2019-20 season with the Houston Rockes where he averaged 34.3 points per contest.
With Mitchell and Harden forming the one-two punch combo, the Cavaliers will hope to finish the regular season strong. Their remaining games will also help the 17-year NBA veteran to adjust to Kenny Atkinson’s pacy offense and intense ball movement. With his passing abilities, Harden seamlessly fits into Atkinson’s coaching philosophy.
The Cavaliers have won all three games while integrating the guard in the lineup. They are also on a five-game winning streak ahead of Thursday’s skirmish against the Brooklyn Nets. They are fourth in the East with a 34-21 record and the best winning record (five games straight) in the conference.
Following their home contest against Brooklyn, Harden and the Cavaliers hit the road for a two-game trip against the Charlotte Hornets and the OKC Thunder.
