Kendrick Perkins Says Criticism of Cavs Guard James Harden Misses the Point
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Cleveland, OH — Former NBA center and current analyst Kendrick Perkins argued that the conversation surrounding James Harden’s performance with the Cleveland Cavaliers is misplaced, saying the veteran guard was never expected to serve as the club’s No. 2 scorer.
During an appearance on the “Road Trippin” podcast, Perkins pushed back against what he views as unwarranted scrutiny of Harden’s numbers since the February trade that brought him from the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland.
“Let’s stop with this James Harden stuff,” Perkins said. “Harden is past his prime. They did not bring him to Cleveland to be the second option. They brought him there to be more of a facilitator and be a floor general.”
Harden has taken a playmaking role alongside All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, a dynamic Perkins believes should be reflected in the Cavaliers’ offensive hierarchy. The analyst said forward Evan Mobley, not Harden, should carry the secondary scoring load behind Mitchell.
The remarks arrive as Cleveland prepares for Game 1 of its Eastern Conference second-round series against the Detroit Pistons. The opener is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in Detroit and will stream on Peacock. The Cavaliers advanced after a seven-game first-round series, leaving little time to recalibrate their offense.
Harden, 36, is averaging 14.2 points and 9.1 assists per game since joining Cleveland, numbers that underscore the facilitating responsibilities Perkins referenced. Mobley is posting 17.8 points per contest in the same span.
Perkins’ comments highlight the ongoing debate about Harden’s role as Cleveland seeks scoring balance and floor leadership in its pursuit of a conference finals berth.
Source: Hoops Wire
