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"Are Cleveland with James Harden in the lineup, the most dangerous team in the East?" That's the question Peter Schrager asked on ESPN's Get Up to insider Alan Hahn. The answer was an emphatic "no".
Hahn isn't just playing the villain for TV; he’s looking at a track record that’s hard to ignore. "Cleveland's reputation in the playoffs has not been good. James Harden's reputation in the playoffs has not been good," Hahn argued. "Put those two pieces together, it's hard to have trust in what they are."
On the surface, it feels like Hahn is raining on future parade plans. The Cavs are undefeated since the trade and look revitalized heading into Friday’s matchup against Charlotte. Harden has fit in seamlessly, sacrificing his high-volume scoring to average 18.5-points and elite playmaking as the ultimate floor general.
More: Cavs make G League trade for 2-time NBA All Star
But the ghosts of postseasons past are haunting this debate. The Cavs have struggled to find any real playoff rhythm over the last four seasons. Harden’s career playoff record of 90-83 with zero championships, is constantly scrutinized for his scoring dips in elimination games.
Still, the significant counter-argument is that the East is wide open. With the Detroit Pistons unexpectedly leading the charge and traditional powerhouses stumbling, this version of the Cavs, with Harden feeding Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell, might be the most balanced team in the conference.
If they keep this momentum and stay healthy, the "untrustworthy" label might finally be retired this June.
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