James Harden's highlight-reel assists change everything for Cavaliers

James Harden keeps making passes that make Cleveland Cavaliers fans go, "Whoa!"

That's part of what he's done for his whole career, but now a new member of the Cavs after his trade from the Clippers, it's like he's being initiated to a new group. They haven't seen these passes up close before.

Harden had a simple 16-point, 9-assist game in just 28 minutes on Thursday night as the Cavs blew out the Brooklyn Nets.

Most of those assists were insane:

James Harden had nine assists tonight. five of them I would label varying levels of sheesh pic.twitter.com/JWWMNQW8VJ

Simply put, Harden changes everything for the Cavaliers.

Darius Garland was a good point guard, when he was healthy and on the floor, which wasn't often enough.

But Garland, at this present moment, wasn't Harden. Harden might be older and have a much shorter shelf life remaining.

For this season's Cavs team, though, Harden is ideal. He gets a team full of talent the ball in the right places at the right times, no matter how tough the pass may seem.

The Eastern Conference has been a bit more unpredictable, and the Cavs didn't get off to the best start this season.

Down the stretch, though, Cleveland plays a lot of teams that are tanking, likely propelling a move up the standings.

And in the playoffs, a backcourt of Harden with Donovan Mitchell can contend with anyone.

This Cavs team looks really, really dangerous thanks to the addition of Harden.

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