James Harden Makes An Impact In First 10 Games With Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the hunt for a championship, and their moves before the trade deadline prove it. Cleveland made some moves, and the biggest was bringing in James Harden.

At this point in his career, Harden has accomplished many things. He won Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2018 after an incredible season with the Houston Rockets. Since then, he has added more accolades to his resume, and there is still one thing missing. The star guard wants a championship, and his new team is trying to make it happen.

Harden and Cavs Seeking a Championship

The Cavaliers were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season. They finished the season with a record of 64-18, and they looked like a team that could have won it all. However, they came up short.

Cleveland faced the Miami Heat in the first round of last year’s playoffs, and after beating them, the Cavaliers faced the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers beat them, and ultimately, Indiana reached the NBA Finals.

After their early exit, the Cavaliers looked to redeem themselves this season. However, injuries got in the way, and things looked bleak. They needed to shake things up, and that is when their new star came into the picture.

Cavs Trade Starting Point Guard, Bring In Harden

Cleveland acquired Harden, and that trade involved Darius Garland. Garland was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2019, and he was one of their core players. The All-Star point guard battled a toe injury, and that impacted his availability.

The Cavaliers moved Garland, and they brought in a new backcourt running mate for Donovan Mitchell. Garland is with the Los Angeles Clippers, and he has adjusted to his new home.

Harden and Cavs Get Off To a Great Start

Since his arrival, Harden has had strong performances. In his debut, the 2018 MVP had 23 points, 8 assists, and 2 rebounds. The Cavaliers beat the Sacramento Kings 132-126 in that game, and they headed to Denver to take on Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.

Harden picked up where he left off, and he had 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. The Cavaliers had another win under their belt, and Harden was getting accustomed to his new team. Once that road trip was over, the Cavaliers came home and faced the Washington Wizards. Harden had another double-double, as he finished the game with 13 points and 11 assists. Cleveland was on a roll, and “The Beard” was contributing in all areas.

Cleveland looks better than it did earlier in the season, and Harden is a major factor. His playmaking is getting others involved, and players like Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Sam Merrill are reaping the benefits.

Are The Cavaliers Contenders?

Harden and the Cavaliers are trying to climb the Eastern Conference, and recent performances prove that they can do it. Cleveland’s new addition is playing well, and in his first 10 games, he averaged 19.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5 rebounds.

The All-Star guard is playing at a high level, and he is making things easier for Mitchell. There was a point in the season where Mitchell took on the bulk of the scoring, and he tried to be a facilitator in the process. Now, Harden is helping out in both areas, and “Spida” can get back to his old ways.

Harden’s time in Cleveland is off to a great start, and the playoffs will be the real test. The Cavaliers have faced some strong opponents recently, and they have held their own. They may encounter teams like the Boston Celtics or Orlando Magic during the postseason, and those matchups are not cakewalks. The Cavs will need all of the help they can get, and that starts with their new star. Then, with players like Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis, they have a good shot.

What’s Next For Harden and Cleveland?

The regular season is winding down, and with the way “The Beard” is playing, Cleveland can finish the season on a high note. Then, when the playoffs begin, they will be ready to go, and Harden has a shot at getting his championship.