James Harden Justifying His and Cavs’ Performance in 0-4 Sweep Leaves Fans Fuming – “It’s the Delusion For Me”

James Harden still believes that the Cavs had the better team after getting swept by the Knicks in the ECF.

James Harden Justifying His and Cavs’ Performance in 0-4 Sweep Leaves Fans Fuming – “It’s the Delusion For Me”

James Harden (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
  • Harden claimed the Cavs were the better team despite their poor performance throughout the series.
  • Fans reacted negatively to Harden's comments, expressing disbelief and frustration over the team's lack of competitiveness.

James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers saw their 2025-26 campaign come to a disappointing end on Monday night. They were clean-swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Cavs showed no signs of life or fight in Game 4. They were blown away in the first quarter and found themselves trailing by 19 points at the end of the first half. Eventually, they succumbed to a 130-93 defeat to the Knicks at the Rocket Arena.

After the game, Harden refused to believe that his opponents were the better team despite getting clean-swept.

It was 4-0, but I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot … Genuinely, I do feel like we are the better team. Series-wise, we didn’t show it. I think I did pretty good … defensively, been extremely solid, and offensively, getting guys shots and fitting into a system that was already in place.

James Harden in his post match press conference

There has been a lot of talk surrounding James Harden and his performances during these playoffs. He came under the microscope in Game 1 when the Knicks targeted him in defense as they pulled off a historic 22-point comeback in the fourth quarter.

After starting the 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, the NBA world was left in surprise when Harden was traded to the Cavs at the trade deadline this year. The move for Harden was a signal that the Cavs are going all in to get over their playoff woes.

Unfortunately, Harden struggled to make much of an impact in the playoffs after a promising regular season with the Cavs. He averaged just 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, and three assists in the four games against the Knicks.

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Fans left in shock after James Harden calls the Cavs the “better team”

It is surprising to hear a player say that they were the better team after getting clean-swept by their opponents. The Cavs were poor after their shocking Game 1 loss. They were convincingly beaten in Games 2, 3, and 4.

Hence, James Harden’s statements about the Cavs being a better team drew a lot of reactions across social media.

Fans were left in disbelief after his statements. Not only were the Cavs overpowered and blown away by the Knicks, but Harden was also far from his best in the whole series.

Brian Dameris’ on-air rant criticizing James Harden resurfaces

The main reason why the Cavs traded for James Harden was to get over their playoff woes. While the Cavs made it to their first Eastern Conference Finals since the departure of LeBron James in 2018, Harden has been nowhere close to his best in the playoffs. But that has been the criticism for the majority of his career.

James Harden
James Harden (Image credits – Legion Hoops/X)

When Harden moved to the Clippers after his unsuccessful stint at the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, Dallas Mavericks commentator Brian Dameris went on a rant and took a jab at the former MVP.

If I can talk to you, James, I hope you’re taking notes. Hey James, you’re the problem. If this doesn’t work this year in this system with this team, and you’re gonna go and point fingers at everybody else, and you’re gonna go back home and swiping right for another team, there’s not gonna be anybody left. Because, James, you’re not the Beard, you’re not the system, you’re the problem.

Since leaving the Houston Rockets in 2020, Harden has moved to four different teams. None of those stints have worked out as he looks for his first NBA championship. It remains to be seen if the Cavs front office will continue with Harden or decide to reunite with LeBron James in the offseason.

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