James Harden remains an elite playmaker who fundamentally improves his teammates' efficiency. His ability to facilitate the offense makes the Cavaliers a more dangerous threat as they integrate his veteran presence.
PERFORMANCENBA
How James Harden makes ‘life easier’ for the Cavs
Traditionally, the point guard has one job: make everyone better. Few guards have embraced that role more than James Harden. He's brought his masterful blend of scoring and playmaking to an 18th season, making it easier for all of the Cleveland Cavaliers' moving parts to fall into place. "You don't have to worry about who is out there with Harden]," said head coach Kenny Atkinson. "He makes the game look so easy… he makes everyone better, that's the biggest compliment you can give someone." In addition to seismic changes at the previous trade deadline, they also added a new member to their starting lineup (Peyton Watson) while pivoting to rely on a handful of unproven role players to fortify their bench. All of this means Atkinson is trying to push the right buttons with different lineup configurations to see what sticks. "I don't know if I call it experimenting, but just seeing what stuff looks like," Atkinson said of his mix-matched rotations during the preseason. Harden makes that process seamless. Whether it's building chemistry with new teammates or polishing his relationship with the others. He can do it all. "He's one of those players for me; it's kind of easy to play off him," said Jaylon Tyson. "Just because [Harden] can make every pass in the book and, obviously, his scoring ability. Everyone is so worried about him offensively that a player like me, catch-and-shoot, just playing off the cut, it makes it so much easier when he's on the court." Having a generational talent, even at 37 years old, is something that unlocks new possibilities for an offense.
October 12, 2026Yahoo Sports
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