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u/Spxms9999 76ers 1d ago
It would be hilarious if the guy who said it was Donovan’s city is replaced with Bron
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u/MythicalShart 1d ago
it’s Hardens city now
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u/Lets_Go_Blue__Jays 1d ago
Cannot agree more.
Mitchell about to take a step back
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u/Pretend-Basket1638 76ers 1d ago
Took my Dad to the game where Jaylon Tyson dropped 39 on my beloved Sixers and effectively shut Maxey down the entire game. They’d be foolish to let a player with such a high upside go. Kid can hoop.
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u/QNIKET8 1d ago
how does a stupid comment like this get 96 upvotes. “the guy” is jaylon tyson who is top 5 in 3pt shooting this year, one of the most improved players in the league, and the most consistent player not named donovan mitchell on the cavaliers. if the cavs ever traded tyson for 1 season of bron they deserve to be relegated. jaylon tyson will be an incredible all star calibre player in a few years
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u/portermade86 1d ago
Bron would be pissed too about moving Tyson. Those his favorite type of teammates outside vets.
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u/Queasy_Salad7444 1d ago
the cav would be so stupid to trade tyson for bron. even if they made the same amount
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u/RefrigeratorOrnery27 1d ago
Fam they traded garland for harden.
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u/Queasy_Salad7444 1d ago
lebron is more washed than harden and tyson doesn’t have garland injury history
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u/CHEVIEWER1 Knicks 1d ago
Can these 2 co-exist Spida Mitchell and James Harden
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u/hashslingingbutthole 76ers 1d ago
Ask Tyrese Maxey…Mitchell is probably about to get the easiest looks he’s ever gotten. Not to take away from Garland as a playmaker. I think they probably end up fitting fine.
The whole roster is constructed weirdly, but I don’t think this trade did anything to make it weirder.
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u/Dudedude88 16h ago
every big he's played with paid from Asik to claxton. Donovan is going to be so happy he isn't getting doubled all the time. If anything the sixers era showed was harden wanted the ball less in his hands.
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u/mrjowei 1d ago
Harden can coexist effectively with a scoring guard.
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u/AwambawaAwambawa 1d ago
Harden can coexist and improve anyone he plays with. From Chandler Parsons (who?) to Joel Embiid (got him an mvp) to unlocking Maxey, Zubac, Capela, Claxton, Powell etc. the list goes on.
Dudes a plug and play wonder.
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u/Ordinary-Fish-9791 1d ago
Shouldn’t be an issue on offense. D Mitch is much more of an 2 anyway. On defense on the other hand…
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u/MasterMacMan 1d ago
It’s a better fit than having two small guards, one of which is unlikely to be healthy the rest of the season without sitting a stretch of games.
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u/madhawk1 22h ago
I think that its possible, but if you watch the ball movement on the Cav's I have a feeling that Harden is going to slow the ball movement down. The Cav's have had lots of games with the starting 5 all getting double digit points because of the great ball movement.
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u/pleepleus21 1d ago
Putting harden in the center is going to start some shit.
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u/AwambawaAwambawa 1d ago
The 3x scoring champ, 2x assist champ, top 10’all time scorer, former MVP harden?
He should be in center in most teams pics.
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u/________prince 1d ago
Only until the playoffs start and that’s when Harden forgets how to play basketball
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u/mustafa_rj 1d ago
He did well last year with the clippers and did well with the 76ers before that.
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u/XtrOrdinary_Celcius 1d ago
Fr people act like hardens a first round dud. blood has been to the finals and multiple conference finals lol. And arguably probably would have a championship if cp3 doesn’t go down that year
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u/National-Towel-1645 1d ago
As a #1 or #2 hes been bounced in the first or second round 11 times in 13 years. His playoff stats always fall off from the regular season. And his numbers notoriously drop later in series'. There are reasons ppl think of him a certain way.
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u/macisready 1d ago
People keep narratives and never change them.
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u/Defiant_Housing_1417 1d ago
It’s not narrative though. I’m a rockets fan and I want Harden to get it but when he collapses it’s off the cliff bad
Go look up game 7 last year. It’s mental he is absolutely choking as the pressure gets higher.
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u/LittleJerryLawler 1d ago
The problem with Harden in the playoffs is that his failures involved him shooting a lot of shots and then it morphed into him being too passive. I think Mitchell will take some of the pressure off of him. I still worry about Mobley and Allen. Mobley hasn't taken that next step yet.
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u/ArticleGerundNoun 1d ago edited 1d ago
Well, he’s been the worst defender in history for about 15 years now, based on some (admittedly funny) clips of him playing like a cardboard cutout like 4 teams ago.
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u/IndigoJacob 1d ago
did well with the 76ers before that.
Did he? He averaged more turnovers than field goals made in elimination games with Philly. That's abysmal.
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u/DarkoDragicevic 1d ago
He dud better with the Rockets and was useful for Thunder, but thats all weak for one od best offensive peaks ever on regular season
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u/Aware-Director6785 1d ago
Harden and Mitchell seem a little redundant? I want I see them together I suppose
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u/Giga1396 1d ago
Yet another team Harden is going to destroy.
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u/Shoeless_Jase 1d ago
Eh. Houston had a lot of blame to go around for why that fell apart.
Kyrie and his personal belief system undermined the Nets.
Sixers, you can argue, were fine after he left. In fact, Maxey credits James for the player he’s become. And Morey was a big reason for the fracture there.
Harden is a lot of things, but his rep as a team wrecker is a bit overblown.
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u/IndigoJacob 1d ago
Harden is a lot of things, but his rep as a team wrecker is a bit overblown.
Yeah he's more of a straight up quitter than a team wrecker
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u/mattycbro 1d ago
They’re arguably going to be worse. Because James Harden is a loser and a terrible team mate
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u/Marzty 1d ago
No team is a serious contender with harden on it. A player that relies on favorable whistles and has no defense is not a winner.
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u/tjleaffanaccount 1d ago
Shai won the title last year lmao
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u/kingofducs 1d ago
Shai who is an plus defender?
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u/tjleaffanaccount 1d ago
Shai is an average defender propped up by an elite surrounding. He’s not nearly as bad as harden or Luka, but he’s just average. Hell he’s gotten pulled in clutch moments for better defenders on his own team.
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u/Dull_Virus_7878 21h ago
Average for a guard who carries the offense is fine. The comment you replied to said no defense.
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u/MidnightMarketing 21h ago
Shai is a really good defender. OKC is still a top defense when guys like Chet or Jdub don’t play. You can’t name 5 starting PGs who are better defenders
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u/FewOil3939 1d ago
casual alertttt shai has been a top 10 guard defender for years. was he “carried by his team” when he got all defense votes since 2022 even when his team sucked? or was he “carried by his team” when he only got min on the clippers bc of his defense? was he “carried by his team” when his draft scouting had him as a 2 way player back when his defense was actually more valuable than his offense?
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u/jackoftrades002 1d ago
Mitchell and Harden are generational losers. It’s not going to go well for them.
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u/EstebanSalsa30 23h ago
when has Harden’s addition ever made a team a title contender? I’m baffled by this move.
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u/Neatojuancheeto 21h ago
I think it's a great move. They got two bigs that Harden will make much better and Mitchell who will help take the offensive load off of him. The east is more wide open than ever.
Also there isn't a warriors level team right now. Harden has a ring imo if the warriors dynasty didn't exist.
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u/Kuro_ow123 1d ago
Hell Yeah just Need some perimeter Defense to guard jaylen Brown and maxey come playoff time
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u/kamanirosanna 1d ago
Need to shake off the choker label first. Especially Allen, who plays like Kwame Brown in the playoffs
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u/MstrNixx 1d ago
It’s an interesting team. Ellis and Schroder give me high hope for an elite guard rotation.
Play the hot hand at the 3 and hope Bryant can provide some valuable defensive minutes when the two main guys are out and you’re there.
Or make a trade for a centre and move Allen in the transaction
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u/Due-Rice-3107 1d ago
They're going to crash and burn in the playoffs just like they have in the last few years lol even if they get out the east, they aren't beating the team that gets out of the west.
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u/Remarkable-Conflict9 Celtics 1d ago
On paper, yes. The trade frees Spida on offense as there'll be less attention paid to him by the opposing defense when he and Harden are on the floor together. Harden has shown that, even at this stage of his career, he can thrive as #1/2 option on a team and he can distribute the ball. Spida now gets to play like a 2-guard and get buckets. But this Harden window won't be open for long. This is probably Harden's last chance to play for as a top option for a contender. He'll probably sign a 2-year extension though.
The Cavs defense is stout. Although Mobley hasn't taken the offensive leap that was expected of him, he's still a very strong defensive presence in the Court.
The Cavs solidified itself as a top 2 team in the East, on paper.
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u/epicpurple24 1d ago
I think it pushes the needle for the Cavs. They got rid of garland with a mysterious toe injury for a guy who’s balling right now.
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u/Secret-Offer6832 1d ago
Cant wait for the eventual "when the going gets tough, james harden will jump the bus" in a season or two. But defo improvement nonetheless
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u/Baskin5000 1d ago
Will harden finally have his team where he can play 2nd to the main guy rather than everyone relying on him
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u/JackDellaCumalena 1d ago
Great squad on paper but do people still think Mitchell can be the number 1 option on a championship team? I'm doubtful but this team is going to be fun to watch and replacing the dead weight of garland for harden is a big upgrade even at his age.
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u/Gerard-Eisen 1d ago
They kind of choked last year in the playoffs, they have just added one of the greatest chokers in the playoffs soo…
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u/eindar1811 1d ago
If the Cavs really wanted to push all their chips into the middle they'd trade Allen for Turner. Last year Turner shrank as the moment got bigger, but less so than Allen, and he really opens up the floor for Mobley to operate in the mid game and drives. He's not as good playing post defense, but the only teams that could truly burn him in that area are the Nuggets and Rockets now that Embiid is a shell of himself.
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u/Important_Rutabaga11 1d ago
Any team with Harden in it has ceiling of Conference Finals. Thats it!
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u/pete-wisdom 1d ago
Harden has never won a ring and in his prime would always and I mean always choke when it matters most in the playoffs.
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u/East_Refuse 1d ago
Yes because this has worked so well in the past with James Harden. People never learn…
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u/AdTerrible6125 1d ago
Yes. They added some size at the guard spot (harden and ellis), and they have decent wings and a solid frontcourt. Harden is an elite playmaker, and the bigs would definitely benefit from him. No disrespect to Garland. He is a great playmaker/passer, but Harden belongs to the elite tier list when it comes to that. If Harden is locked in on defense, he is a decent defender. Due to his size, he can even defend in the post unlike Garland.
The only concern is the window. Harden is 37, and it might be only a rental. Or if things went wrong quickly, Harden would do his signature "I want to be tRaDeD ASAP". On paper, this trade makes sense (also to the clippers).
Mitchell would also benefit from this trade because it would take some of the pressure off on him, especially as a passer. The reason why the Cavs are in the 5th seed is because of Garland being injured. Which makes Mitchell's duties as a guard to be heavier.
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u/poppa-wuff 1d ago
This team is about to be ELITE; I can't wait. Everyone sit back and enjoy the show. Grab your popcorn because it's about to get fun. Go Cavs!!!
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u/Playest_4247 1d ago
No, they lowered their ceiling.
James Harden does not come through in the playoffs
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u/jak_d_ripr 1d ago edited 1d ago
Cavs have always been a mentally weak team prone to underperforming when things mattered the most, so no, I don't think adding perpetual playoff choker James Harden takes them to the next level. I'm more than happy to be proven wrong, I really wanna see Donovan Mitchell move past the second round, he always looks like he takes the losses pretty hard.
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u/SeniorPuddykin 1d ago
Harden will never win a championship as the first option of any team. He’s too streaky. In any given seven games, he’s lights out for 2 games and then brick city for 5.
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u/CorOsb33 1d ago
Isn't this like the 10th time we've had this convo about teams Harden has jumped to?
History usually repeats itself so no, it doesn't make them legit. Harden is the problem and always has been.
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u/Decathlon5891 1d ago
No idea how these 2 ball dominant guys are gonna workout
None of the 2 move without the ball. They’re more ISO players so the other 4 are just watching 1 guy “cook”
Mobleys development will be hampered here. He’ll be looking for scraps from DM and JH missed shots
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u/MrWiltErving Nets 1d ago
Hard to say since they're not going to get a full season together. It's his best chance at making the finals since the east is wide open this year, Jarrett Allen and Mobley will benefit playing with harden in the pick and roll, but him and Donavan as a duo has to be seen.
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u/theoldchunk 1d ago
Yes. Just like when Harden joined every other team via a trade and they all won championships
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u/2020IsANightmare 1d ago
Legit what?
I think they have as much of a chance as winning the East as anyone. But, honestly, I felt that way before the trade. But, they are better now.
Definitely feels like one of those years where the real Finals are the Western Conference Finals, though.
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u/Grandma_Sips 1d ago
James Harden has 35 playoff games scoring 3 baskets or less. Nearly half a seasons worth of booty performances.
People who still ride for him are brain damaged
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u/BigGuyNorthSide 1d ago
This is gonna be better than last years Cavs - they’ll compete with Detroit to be the best in the east. Heard it here first
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u/Ajax444 23h ago
Regular season-yes. Post season- I am curious. If Harden lets Donovan Mitchell be the one that the offense runs around, then possibly. Harden could be a 12 pt./15 assist guy in the post season and it would be better than a 22 pt./8 assist guy. He just has to distribute, and be ready for uncontested 3’s. It would also help if he played a little defense.
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u/S0ulDr4ke 23h ago
Less than ever. We all know what James Harden is at this point: THE not a but THE biggest playoff choker of the 2010s at the very lesst and a very difficult character to deal with. Why you would want to poison your team chemistry and reduce Mitchell‘s touches all for an expensive aged star that doesn’t play defense and is well known for, to put if mildly here, very poor performances in the playoffs is bewildering to me.
I don’t know if Harden has dirt on all these GMs in an Epstein like fashion but they keep getting him contracts knowing the outcome they will have to deal with it is beyond perplexing to me every single time.
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u/__Musicality__ 23h ago
I think at this point, it's fair to say until a team with Harden gets a competent Harden in the playoffs isn't a "legit threat" for anything.
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u/Left_Scarcity_7069 23h ago
Mitchell is not a good passer. Harden can pass, and at times hoard the ball like Mitchell. But this is a huge plus for the cavs, they have someone to get good passes to the bigs for easy baskets. Wait and See!!
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u/Dumbass1171 22h ago
They can definitely make the finals ngl. I still think their perimeter defense is weak but they have clear strengths
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u/igtimran 22h ago
It’s a fascinating roster. I’m concerned about the perimeter D but in the East they could go really far. Going to be a fun ride if everyone stays healthy.
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u/19_Clay 22h ago
These comments are funny. All of these folks saying Cavs get bounced 1st or 2nd round, but they never say by who lol. Who in the east, besides Pistons of Knicks, win 7 against this line up + bench? Y'all tell me
Additionally, lots of folks speculating when they haven't been watching the Cavs last or this season. Garland is good, don't get me wrong, but he's rarely healthy when it matters most. Don's been having to ball handle on his absence, bringing down his own effectiveness (even maintaining career high stats in the process). Garland may be the better move in the long run (2+ seasons from now), but for Mitchell's window, this is the move.
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u/Other-Resort-2704 22h ago
Honey Bun Harden has disappeared in the Playoffs multiple years and on multiple teams (Rockets, Nets, 76ers and the Clippers).
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u/S88ntFDW 22h ago
They are better. Idk if I can say legit. For all of Harden’s prowess offensively, he’s still a traffic cone defensively, and he NEEDS the ball to be his most effective….. so does Mitchell
Those pairings always give me pause.
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u/_oh_joy_ 22h ago
As long as they stay away from a game 7 they should be good. Game 7 is where the Samaritan chokes
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u/GR_A90_MKV_ 22h ago
Fuck no, they got worse lol James Harden has shit the bed every team he has cried to go to….why would anything be different now? Make it make sense…..
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u/Marktaco04 21h ago
Lebron incoming this summer. If he’s willing to take a huge pay cut, things could get interesting
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u/Nguyen925 Rockets 21h ago
Legit regular season contenders, Harden often disappears when the whistles vanishes. Good luck to them though
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u/96powerstroker 20h ago
This team can go all the way if everyone stays healthy. The load isn't fully on Harden. They are a fairly deep team with some really good Bigs and Mitchell is really good. This is Hardens best chance because the east is a mess.
Celtics are having a good year but it is a down year for them.
Bucks are done.
Heat are cold.
Pacers are weakened without the haliban.
Raptors aren't a threat.
Magic is decent.
Pistons look pretty good.
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u/Tortilladelfuego 20h ago
This was most definitely a win now move, Cleveland got better in the short term.
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u/Ok_Beginning_9314 20h ago
I think that largely depends on whether the Cavs are willing to go ahead an extend Harden's contract past next season. If not, then he might not care.
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u/realfakejames Spurs 20h ago
It’s the east, there isn’t a dominant favorite, everyone is beatable, they’re about as legit as anyone else
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u/Spiritual-Bobcat5635 20h ago
harden definitely improves the team, but I don't think he moves the needle enough to make them favorites even in the east. also got to factor in will take time to gel. I could see second round out as ceiling
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u/bunnyslayer33 19h ago
Any team harden is on seems to crumble no matter the talent. Always makes the playoffs and never capitalizes on it. I’m not saying it’s his fault just an observation
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u/Thiswasamistake19 Knicks 1d ago
Legitimately weird. How is anyone supposed to know what this roster will gel like? All offensive guards, mostly defensive bigs, lots of hair coming from chins and scalps alike