If you’ve watched the Cleveland Cavaliers recently, you’ve probably seen a jaw-dropping pass or two from James Harden. Most fans knew of Harden’s playmaking — but actually seeing it in action, with those dimes being thrown to the players on your favorite team, is an entirely different experience than watching it happen for other franchises.
Harden’s dishing out nearly nine assists per game since joining the Cavs. While it’s a small sample size of just six games, he’s yet to finish with fewer than seven assists as a Cavalier. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s a legendary passer who’s now running point guard for a Cleveland squad that set the league ablaze last season.
The Cavs had the third-highest offensive rating in league history last season. And even though their personnel have changed quite a bit since then, they still have enough firepower to make life feel like a playground for someone like Harden.
Whether it’s throwing lobs to Donovan Mitchell, spraying out to shooters like Sam Merrill, or dissecting his opponents in the pick-and-roll with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley — Harden’s arguably never had more options to pass to.
So, without further ado, here are 10 passes that show why Harden is having so much success on his new team.
Number One
Let’s start with the biggest difference Harden brings to Cleveland. He’s a BIG playmaker who can use his 6’5” 220-pound frame to navigate the floor and unlock options they haven’t had before.
Can you imagine Mitchell or Darius Garland playing with their back to the basket in the high-post like this? Probably not.
You might envision Evan Mobley in this spot, as he has operated this action before, but there’s a huge difference between being an above-average playmaker for your position (like Mobley) and being one of the greatest playmakers in league history. Advantage: Harden.
So what exactly makes the above play special?
Harden sets up in the high post. This starting position changes the dynamic of Allen/Merrill’s action. Being here allows Harden to deliver the ball to the roller or to the perimeter more easily than if he were standing in the corner or on the wing (where would Merrill even pop out if Harden is on the perimeter?).
The spacing just doesn’t work the same if Harden isn’t able to secure a deeper position.
Now watch the screen set by Allen. Washington isn’t willing to switch or play at the level of the screen because they recognize Allen’s threat to roll or catch with a mismatch. That means Merrill’s defender is on an island with no hope of contesting his shot.
The pass itself isn’t anything special. But Harden’s size permits the entire play to develop. Look below for another example of this.
Number Two
The Cavs set up in horns with Harden and Merrill on the elbows. Again, Harden’s ability to comfortably operate inside the perimeter sets him apart from Mitchell and Garland.
Jaylon Tyson cuts through the middle after entering the ball to Harden. From there, Allen sets a flare screen for Merrill — and when the Wizards (again) choose to prioritize covering Allen’s roll, Merrill wisely uses his man’s momentum against him and cuts backdoor for a layup.
But check the bounce pass from Harden. Specifically, where and when he throws the ball.
Harden has a knack for leading his teammates into open space. This pass is zipping towards the basket before Merrill even realizes he’s going to be open. So not only is Harden able to initiate plays from more advantageous angles — but he can read a defense to filth and deliver the ball with precision to generate easy buckets.
Number Three
Alright, let’s get to something flashy.
Harden’s one of the best pick-and-roll operators the game has ever seen. This behind-the-back pocket pass is one of the reasons why.
This begins with a subtle move to lead his defender into the screen. Then, when Harden senses that Kyshawn George is trailing behind the roll, he realizes the only way to deliver the ball through this window is to zip it behind his back before the pocket closes.
There’s really not much else to say about this. Anyone with eyes can tell you how ridiculous this is.
Number Four
Back to some nuances.
Harden’s size isn’t just an advantage when playing with his back to the basket. He can also use it to absorb more contact and play at a deliberate pace when driving to the hoop.
In this play, Harden is being hounded by Tim Hardaway Jr., but he never has to speed himself up to avoid losing control. He takes the contact, burrows his way into the paint, and then jumps to find the open man when Denver’s defense collapses.
Again, compare this to Mitchell or Garland. Undersized gaurds ineherently have to play with more speed in these scenarios. They don’t have enough size to play through this much ball pressure. But because Harden is able to take his time, it allows this entire play to materialize.
A quick dash to the hoop wouldn’t leave enough time for this to develop. Harden’s pace allows Mitchell to cut to the opposite corner. That causes Sam Merrill to dive to the corner, taking Christian Braun out of Harden’s space. Then, when Bruce Brown stays to clog the lane — Mitchell makes it to the other corner — and Jamal Murray has to dig down to cover the skip pass. All of this culminates in Harden walking into the lane and spraying it out to Tyson, who is now wide open.
But none of that happens if Harden isn’t able to work through contact and control the tempo. A smaller player would have attacked the rim at breakneck speed and had nowhere to go because the rest of the play hadn’t formed.
Number Five
Here we see another example of Harden’s deliberate pace.
Watch the consecutive hang-dribbles that Harden uses after curling around Allen’s screen. This momentary hesitation forces the Kings’ big man to commit to his drive. And that gives Allen the time he needs to claim space inside the paint.
And because Harden isn’t going from zero-to-100, he’s able to gently drop this bounce pass to where only Allen can catch the ball. Perfect process and execution.
Number Six
Back to some highlights.
Harden’s bounce pass might be the most underrated aspect of his game. He makes this pass look easier than it is.
The extra beat he takes to look at the corner and open Noah Clowney just enough to squeeze the ball through that window is the difference between an Allen dunk and a turnover.
Number Seven
We’ve seen the bounce pass. Now let’s look at a different delivery.
This is an easy read. Harden comes off the screen and immediately draws two to the ball. But watch how he releases this pass. Harden jumps and floats this over-the-top pass with a downward trajectory to drop the ball perfectly into Mobley’s hands.
Once more, Harden’s height gives him access to a pass that Mitchell and Garland don’t have. Both could have made this read — but only Harden could serve this dish as cleanly as he did.
Number Eight
This is just a brilliant play.
Harden recognizes that Mobley has drawn a mismatch and is being fronted in the post. So while all eyes are on Tyson’s screen — Harden sails a pass over the defense for an easy dunk.
Making this pass from the logo, without wasting any time dribbling, is why Mobley is able to punish his mismatch before Brooklyn recovers.
Number Nine
In this clip, we get to see our first drive-and-kick from Harden.
It begins with a nasty crossover to get around Michael Porter Jr, a skill that we haven’t focused enough on. Harden’s as slippery as they come, and his ability to break his defender in isolation is what makes him such a threat, to begin with.
After dispatching Porter, the Nets are forced to send a second defender to stop Harden’s drive. Now Harden can either dish to Allen in the dunker’s spot — or — more effectively, jump hook a pass to the 47.5% three-point shooter in the corner. Harden chooses the more difficult pass and is rewarded with an assist.
Number Ten
I don’t need to tell you that this pass was nasty. I just figured we’d end on a high note.
Draw attention to the touch required to throw a lob this softly after breaking out in transition. Harden floats this pass gently to the rim, and all Mitchell has to do is jump and guide it home.
Seriously, I can’t comprehend how the ball hangs in the air for so long when taking into account how fast Harden is running. It’s the type of pass that only an all-time great can make.
If you want to watch all of these plays together, check out the tweet below.
