Udonis Haslem Cooks James Harden For Terrible Turnovers Despite 17-Year Playoff Run

Star guard James Harden has converted 32% of his field goals for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs so far.

Udonis Haslem Cooks James Harden For Terrible Turnovers Despite 17-Year Playoff Run

Udonis Haslem flames James Harden (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Udonis Haslem criticized James Harden for excessive turnovers during the playoffs despite his extensive experience.
  • Harden's poor performance contributed to the Cavaliers losing their second straight game against the Pistons.
  • Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson took responsibility for not effectively utilizing Harden in scoring opportunities.

When James Harden arrived in Cleveland, Cavaliers fans started to believe that their team would now be able to fight for an NBA title for the first time since the days of LeBron James.

In their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, they were hounded by the younger team all the way to Game 7. In that last game, it was the inexperience of the Canadian-based team that allowed the Cavs to move into the second round.

Now, they are facing the East-leading Detroit Pistons. Usually, such a matchup should leave fans and analysts excited. But the Cavaliers’ performances so far have been anything but exciting.

There is 5 guys who have been in the NBA that have went to the playoffs 17+ consecutive times. Stockton, Malone, Jason Kidd, Tony Parker, James Harden. Why the hell are you turning the ball over so much? You have been in the playoffs and know what it’s like to be in the playoffs… I don’t understand that.

Udonis Haslem said on NBA on Prime

The three-time champion was surprised that someone with James Harden’s postseason experience was committing the mistakes that younger players do.

Udonis Haslem saw erroneous one-handed passes and the lack of concentration while on the ball as the primary reasons for the former league MVP’s mistakes.

The Miami Heat legend cited that if his son committed these mistakes in a pickup basketball game, he would have taken him out. Therefore, it is also the fault of the Cavs coaches for not pushing the veteran guard to do better.

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James Harden’s poor 10-point outing hands Pistons Game 2

Udonis Haslem was referring to James Harden‘s Game 1 performance against the Detroit Pistons, where he turned the ball over seven times.

James Harden and Donovan Mitchell
James Harden and Donovan Mitchell (Image via ESPN Cleveland/X)

Turnovers have been a problem for the 11-time All-Star throughout these playoffs. Had the Cavaliers exited in the first round, Harden would have faced the music.

Thankfully, they live to fight another day, but now their situation has turned from bad to worse. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their second straight game in this series, and now head back to Ohio into a do-or-die scenario where they have to avoid a third straight.

Teams have come back from being down 3-1 in these playoffs, but at this stage, it is better not to take risks. If only James Harden had played better, his team could have been in the fight to win Game 2.

The 36-year-old scored just eight points in the first half. Then, in the second, he scored just two. Converting just three out of 13 attempts is wasteful, particularly when the said player is on the floor for most of the game.

He might not have had as many turnovers as Game 1, but had he scored at least to his previous game’s level, maybe he could have headed home with the series tied and the momentum in their bags.

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Cavs head coach takes blame for James Harden’s struggles

James Harden and his team will have to do a lot of soul-searching when they regroup ahead of Game 3. For now, his head coach, Kenny Atkinson, pinned the veteran guard’s struggles on himself.

He took two shots in the second half. I put that on me… We can’t have our Hall of Famer take two shots in the second half. I’ll take that one.

Kenny Atkinson told reporters

The former Golden State Warriors assistant believes that he and his coaches did not do a good job creating schemes to get Harden and fellow superstar Donovan Mitchell into scoring positions.

That means the team will work on ways to try and get them going when Game 3 tips off two days from now. At least they will have their passionate Cavaliers fans there to support them. Hopefully, that will get James Harden going.

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