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James Harden Is the Cleveland Cavaliers Kryptonite

By Nathan Beighle

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) is called for a foul as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts to shoot the ball during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) is called for a foul as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts to shoot the ball during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are usually not the team to allow superstars to dominate them, but James Harden has been the kryptonite for the Cavaliers.

Last night was not the first time that James Harden destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the only two meeting that these teams will have had this season, James Harden has dropped 41 and 38 in respective games.

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Along with that, he dropped a triple-double on the Cavs en route to a fantastic comeback last night. So, what is it that makes James Harden so difficult to stop. One of the key factors that makes Harden so hard to stop is his dynamic use of the pick-and-roll. On several occasions James Harden went to this and destroyed the opponent that switched onto him.

His 38 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds is just another reason as to why he is a top MVP candidate. The Cavaliers have hit the point where they have no body that has found Harden’s number, so what should they do?

One solution for Lue is to play a more small ball lineup, but the downside of that is, as we saw tonight, the Cavaliers will get out-rebounded. The second option is to allow Harden to dominate the usually Tristan Thompson and just guard the kick out shooters tighter. There will be several other ways that Tyronn Lue will be able to handle James Harden if they somehow meat again (*Cough* Finals).

James Harden is a unique talent and the Houston Rockets are a fantastic team, so it shouldn’t be a huge concern that Harden has been able to dominate Cleveland. Luckily, Harden plays in the West, so it is doubtful that they will be able to make it past the incredible Warriors team.

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Either way the Western Conference playoffs will be insane, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will have their hands full with whoever comes out of it.