James Harden and Donovan Mitchell Gear Up For Major Playoff Run
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a mission. They want to finish the season strong and secure their place in the playoffs. Cleveland is on the verge of its fourth consecutive postseason appearance, and its stars are leading the way.
Donovan Mitchell joined the Cavaliers in 2022, and he helped them get to the playoffs. This year, Cleveland added another star, as it acquired James Harden before the trade deadline. Both of these stars have something in common, and now, they are going for a championship.
Harden and Mitchell Get Going, Prepare For Playoffs
Since his arrival, Harden has made an impact. He is a playmaker who gets teammates like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen involved. Then, he does his share of scoring. The 11-time All-Star has been involved with contending teams, but he has yet to win a championship. However, he has made the playoffs since the start of his career.
Harden was the third pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder made the playoffs that year, and they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Their new addition came off the bench, and he averaged 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 76 games.
After that, the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year added playoff appearances to his resume, and he did it with different teams. Whether it was the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets, or others, Harden has always been in the playoffs.
Harden Gets a Fresh Start, Heads To Cleveland
The Cavaliers gave Mitchell a new backcourt mate, and like Harden, the seven-time All-Star has a playoff history.
Mitchell made the playoffs right away, as the Utah Jazz made it in his rookie season. They finished the season with a record of 48-34, and their rookie helped them get to that point. The star guard was the 13th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, and he got off to a great start. He averaged 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 79 games.
Utah’s star continued to play at a high level, and the Jazz made the playoffs. In his final season with the Jazz, Mitchell averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. His team made the playoffs, but the Dallas Mavericks won the series.
After that season, Utah went in a different direction, and the franchise traded Mitchell in a deal with Cleveland.
Harden and Mitchell Are Hungry For a Championship
When he came to Cleveland, Mitchell added to his playoff legacy. The Cavaliers finished the season with a record of 51-31, and they faced the New York Knicks in the first round. New York won that series and faced the Miami Heat in the next round.
Mitchell’s playoff streak remains intact, and he has made the playoffs eight times. Harden is in the same boat, and he has made the playoffs 16 times. They have made the playoffs every season of their careers, and they are gearing up for another run.
Despite their playoff history, Harden and Mitchell have yet to win a championship. They are on the hunt for one, and now may be the perfect time. Both stars are having strong seasons, and they have the talent around them to make it happen.
The Eastern Conference is competitive, and the addition of Harden could be what puts Cleveland over the top. The Cavaliers have encountered some of their biggest conference rivals recently, and while some of those games did not go in their favor, they know what to expect come playoff time.
Will “The Beard” Get His First Championship?
The Cavaliers have a tough task ahead of them. Winning a championship is a challenge, and some of the best teams have struggled. The addition of Harden shows how much the Cavs want to win, and as he and his backcourt mate prepare for another run, the thought of winning it all will remain in the back of their heads.
