Kendrick Perkins Calls New Cavalier James Harden a Top-10 All-Time Offensive Talent
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Former Cleveland forward and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins labeled newly acquired guard James Harden “a top-10 greatest offensive player to ever play” during the latest episode of the Road Trippin podcast.
Perkins appeared on the show—hosted by ex-Cavaliers Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye alongside longtime reporter Allie Clifton—when Clifton asked if Harden’s arrival makes the Cavaliers legitimate championship contenders. “Yes,” Perkins replied before praising Harden’s offensive repertoire. “He changed the game,” he added, highlighting the former MVP’s role in popularizing the hop-step, step-back three.
The veteran analyst went further, comparing Harden to Dallas star Luka Dončić. “He was Luka before Luka,” Perkins said, placing Harden inside his personal top 25 all-time, despite Harden’s lack of an NBA title.
Harden, 35, is already on the league’s 75th Anniversary Team and is among the few players to have led the NBA in both scoring and assists in separate seasons.
The trade that brought Harden to Cleveland was orchestrated by president of basketball operations Koby Altman. With the deal complete, Perkins said the pressure now shifts to Harden, guard Donovan Mitchell and the rest of the roster to translate the move into a championship run.
Source: Hoops Wire
