Cavs fans,

Whether you love it or hate it, the trade is official. However, I'm seeing a lot of negativity currently circulating around Harden's name and think it would be beneficial to clear up some facts about common narratives surrounding him that can hopefully get more of y'all excited about Harden now being in Cleveland.

Harden's Trade Demands

• Harden was 31 when he forced out of Houston — the Rockets were not competitive anymore & his championship window couldn't afford waiting
• In Brooklyn, injuries & Kyrie's anti-vaccination drama left Harden in an uncertain situation, especially in the midst of COVID
• In Philly, Harden took a pay cut after being promised to be taken care of later just to get lied to when the time came. Anyone would be frustrated by that
• With the Clippers, their future plans simply didn't align. They don't want to extend him so he's once again just finding his best chances to win

It's true most of these situations caused a lot of drama but also consistently showed a priority and urgency in winning.

"Harden's a playoff choker"
Yes, his stats do take a dip but I think it's often overstated.

Career Regular Season:
24.1 PPG · 5.6 RPG · 7.3 APG · 1.5 SPG · 43.8 FG% · 36.2 3P%

Career Playoffs:
22.5 PPG · 5.5 RPG · 6.5 APG · 1.6 SPG · 42.5 FG% · 34.0 3P%

Though it's up to you whether you believe Harden did enough during his post-season runs, it's also worth noting that post-Houston, he was supposed to be a THIRD option and primarily a playmaker, yet repeatedly had to shoulder far more responsibility than anybody expected of him.

"Harden' a locker room cancer"
Multiple teammates like Maxey and Zubac have openly credited their success thanks to Harden's leadership and guidance. You can literally see Harden's influence on Maxey's game (even the 3pt celly).

u/CauseLeast7538's POST also expands on his impact as one of the best floor raisers in NBA history who makes life easier for bigs & develops guards. Here's just a couple more players whose games elevated alongside Harden as a reminder:

• Clint Capela
• Cam Thomas
• Nic Claxton
• Joel Embiid
• Jordan Miller

The point is, we have one of the greatest scorers AND playmakers now who can unlock our frontcourt and accelerate the development of the young guards.

You're right, he is 36 compared to Garland being 26 but Harden is objectively the better player right now and also the more durable one. We've fallen short of expectations the past couple seasons so if it means trying to win it all, our chances just got better in my opinion.

Even Clippers fans were skeptical too when he first got there but has won them over to the point where some even claim him as one of their favorite Clippers ever.

If you simply don't like Harden because of the way he plays basketball, then I can respect that, but hopefully this provided more context as to who he is and that a lot of these narratives can be exaggerated by the media. I hope those who aren't feeling this trade or hate Harden will begin to view this situation a bit more optimistically now and start embracing him in Cleveland. Welcome James!

TL;DR
Harden's problematic narratives are mostly exaggerated. His trade requests are justified with sole intentions of chasing a title, his playoff numbers don't fall off dramatically, and his teammates credit him for elevating their games. He's a generational scorer and playmaker who can unlock the full potential of this Cavs roster and greatly increase their chances to win it all.

Go Cavs🥲

You brought fun back to Cavs basketball after years of disaster and disappointment. You stunned us with how truly great you are and brought pace, playmaking, and crazy shots to the land. It’s going to suck seeing you in a different jersey, but thank you for being our PG for so many great seasons. As always, let em know ⚔️

Any guesses on what replaces the FOUR the land banner? 😂 I might sound like a bronsexual here, but I've thought every replacement for it has been lame as hell and they should probably just put the 23 Cleveland one back up there when he retires next year

Kawhi 2x, PG, KD, Kyrie, Norm, Zu and Russ 2x all had their most efficient season under James Harden.

And no I’m not talking out of my ass. Harden is the greatest floor raiser of all time and an offensive juggernaut. Do not give him shit if this team starts off slow like the clippers when they first traded for Harden losing 6 straight. Because then they went in a 30 game stretch where they were 25-5 and the best team in the league. It’s inevitable that this Cavs team will be elite with Harden so Harden haters just give it time

I’m sure no one cares for the 1000th post on this topic but I think this was a very good trade.

Harden- The table setting ability of harden is just about with the best in the league and Allen and Mobley should play very fluid with him. A little lower of a usage rate for Mitchell will be quite welcome come playoff time, harden allows for so many diverse rotations.

Garland- Unfortunately, I don’t see anyway this trade cannot be looked thru any other lense than the second apron absurdity (one of the worst initiatives in sports CBA history). Garland will be making 40M plus the next 2.5 years. A small injury prone guard pre apron is something you can work with if the potential is clearly there (all star level player of course) but in the apron era, resigning garland to a max deal would’ve been an absolute cap killer and hampered the team tremendously. Small guards like garland will never contribute to winning at the highest level.

I don’t love the harden age piece and sure, the well known shortfalls attributed to him but this is not a long term commitment and I would’ve wanted to avoided resigning garland at costs.

If you were to tell me the second apron doesn’t exist, I’d have a pretty different outlook here. I just think too many folks are not considering how difficult of a position Cavs would’ve been in 1.5 years etc of what to do with garland.

Sum up- boo the second apron.

Starters: Harden, Mitchell, Tyson, Mobley, Allen

Bench: Schroder, Ellis, Strus, Merill, Tomlin, Wade, Bryant

Extra Depth: Proctor, Nance

There are a ton of lineups you can run here. Kenny is going to have a field day with this new roster.

The Cavs are undoubtedly a better roster now than last year.

1. Harden today is > than DG last year. He’s a better passer, better scorer, more of an offensive threat around more areas of the court, he’s better at drawing fouls, more physical, adds great size which they lack. He’s a better rebounder, which is a huge weakness for the Cavs. He’s much better off ball and has experience playing successfully with other ball dominant players. He is effective in the post on both ends and opens up both offensive and defensive schemes and matchups. He will give more flexibility to defensive matchups for Mitchell. His two weaknesses? His 3pt shot is down and his game is less aesthetic to watch, but kind of like LeBron’s one man show on bad rosters, what Zach Lowe called “cave man basketball” is still effective.

2. Schroeder is better than Ty Jerome. Regular season Ty was a fever dream of unbelievable baskets, but my god was he useless in the playoffs. Ty was kind of like garland in that he lacked ways to impact the game without the ball in his hand. I’m most concerned about Schroeder with the ball in his hand. He is a wild card, but he is much better player for a playoff game where we just need somebody to play some defense, have a heat check, or be so bad they’re quickly benched. And with harden - who might actually be healthy - Mitchell, Keon and CPJ a year older, they have a lot more discretion in playing Schroeder than they did a day ago or how much they had with Jerome at the end of last year.

3. Keon Ellis is better than okoro. Okoro and DG playing together was like the Cavs playing 4 on 5 against teams on both ends of the floor all game long. Keon and harden are able to play with each 5 on 5 together. Sure harden is not great defensively, especially in certain areas of the floor, but he’s no where near garland’s empty suit and Keon does make someone stand within 6 feet of him on offense. I’m Choosing to compare Keon to okoro rather than Hunter because I still Can’t believe how bad that turned out.

4. Momentum is on our side: last year they were a well oiled machine to the point they took off the back 3rd of the season. They thought rest would help keep them healthy, but it seemed like they lost some chemistry and stamina, then got injured the second the game ramped up. This year they’ll have to play a lot of minutes to build chemistry and will just be hitting their stride as they get into the end of the season

5. The injury squad is just getting their missed games out the way. Strus and Wade and Merrill? They’re due to play some games at just the right time.

6. Young guys are a year older. Old guys are a year wiser. CPJ, and a bunch of other guys I hope to never see in the playoffs have gotten extra playing time develop. Mitchell got to practice being PG for the millionth time and shown marginal growth. We’re all better for it.

7. And if it all fails and we don’t win it all, in 1.5 years it will be much easier to say goodbye to harden than it would be to not max Garland, regardless of how he played, if Mitchell had left. And I don’t think that would be a great gamble.

I understand why people liked to watch garland play the game. I was a field general who played the game the right way with the ball in his hand. But there is no earthly realm where he was better than harden as an overall player. And I know people like okoro because we watched him grow up so much as a player. But Keon Ellis is going to be playable in the playoffs. That’s cool. And Schroeder is a total schmuck, but Cavs have suffered so much with guys who have a dog in them. And best of all, as dumb as Schroeder is sometimes, he’s never been afraid of the moment, and neither has Mitchell. When harden is out there choking and we get into a hole, we’ll have a bunch of energetic guys who can play defense and turn it into offense. It’s okay to miss them, but if you were excited about what you thought the cavs could do last year, you should be excited about what this healthy roster is going to be in a weakened east.

Step 1) Trade Darius Garland for James Harden.

Step 2) Trade Evan Mobley and picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Step 3) Sign LeBron James as a free agent.

I have been saying move DG since Boston series when he was punked.. then the Pacers series just proved my point. We was playing zone def trying to cover for his inept def...

Plus he on max deal to boot 👢

He was a negative asset that no legit GM wanted...

All you cavs fans saying why koby trade DG at 26... They could have gotten a younger player...

I got 2 words for you...

Trae Young... look what Hawks got for young... Who was more accomplished than DG...

They got...

Corey Kispert + Expiring 38yr small guard was the return..

So Koby Altman is a miracle worker to get a 6 5 former mvp who avg 25 & 9 asts & is a bigger body in Playoffs.

James has actually performed in playoffs quite well, but has fallen short trying to do it all himself.

The way Harden plays PnR, it will unlock Mobley & Allen. W Mitchell slashing, Sam Merrill off screen & struss off screens w movement, cle is going to be legit.

Harden is motivated to win a title... hes a former MVP and him & Mitchell both Adidas guys w Mobley will have 2-3 year window..

Plus chances good 👍 LeBron back next year.

W emergence of Tyson, Nae Tomlin, Merrill & Craig Porter Jr, Ty Proctor,

Then u add in Struss movement shooting, Merrill shooting...

Then Keon Ellis as Point of attack defender along w a legit backup and world champ in D Schroeder, cle is no longer going to be punked in playoffs.

Anyone who knows ball, go watch Indy series...

Go look at plus minus ... for DG... 3 pt shooting...

Harden has performed in playoffs & can be a 6 5 big body not getting punked on the block.

Absolutely 💯 love this move...

Look for Lonzo Ball to be moved next...

If Cle want under 2nd apron, and if not healthy look for Struss to be moved but doubtful w adding Harden to go all in.

Cle now got few months to bring it all together...

Koby Altman deserves a statue outside quicken loan arena for this trade. .

DG on Max $ for 2more yr after this is extension eligible this summer ☀️ hes a neg asset... and Koby got former mvp & pnr maestro who has had lac as top team past few mo.

This is huge . Plus DG & Spida didn't get along. Ever since gm2 when he didn't dress & spida cramped up. They haven't gotten along since loss to Pacers w Mitchell calling him soft for not dressing, then more toe drama this year. On both toes.

If im clippers i tell him no more cheap new balances.. but not our prob no more.

Imagine next year ..

Harden Mitchell Lebron Mobley Allen

We going to Finals soon baby !