Kenny Atkinson, James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
After delivering another clutch victory over the Nuggets, the Cavaliers aare now a season-best 12 games over .500. Before their recent winning streak, they had been hovering there, not meeting the expectations they set for themselves a year ago after going 64-18.
Now though, the reinforcements have come in to aid the already improving stars. At 33-21, this is where Cleveland is showing the rest of the league that they can be dangerous.
In just the second-game of his tenure, James Harden was trusted to take the big shot, and he buried it. A three to tie the contest with 31 seconds, he looked confident in the fourth quarter for the second straight time.
Trust has been there in Cleveland. A winning basketball team that has won four straight, and now nine out of the last 10.
Speaking of Harden, his coach Kenny Atkinson had some words of praise for his night. Let’s get to it.
Kenny Atkinson on James Harden’s Performance
The clock was starting to tick on the Cavs late in their game with the Nuggets. With the shot-clock winding down, James Harden went to do his well-known step-back to get space for the three. He buried it, and was able to help the team tie the game. On a night where he had 22-10-7 with four blocks, this was his shining moment.
Speaking on the victory, Kenny Atkinson had five words to say about what he watched at the end of the ball-game.
“That was vintage James Harden.”
It’s pretty clear what the team has thought of The Beard since his arrival. In just two games, the team has been able to dig out of late deficits and surprise their opponent with victories. Harden set them up, and Donovan Mitchell put it away. With just under seven seconds to get the game-winning points, he took it straight to the basket, and got to the line.
Mitchell was able to sink both, and then the game was over. A fourth straight victory for the squad.
Atkinson did have a little bit more to say, expanding on what Harden is bringing to the team. e added:
“I think James’ (Harden) arrival, it’s been two games but I think it’s given Don a different energy. He knows we’re pretty good. Now he knows we have a chance.”
The two guards have paired well, and it looks like the team may have two strikers.
Cavs Seek Fifth Straight Win Ahead of All-Star Break
New Cavs guard James Harden was surprisingly not selected to be an All-Star this year. But this will allow the guard to get some time off and come back strong after the break. Donovan Mitchell of course, will be taking part in both the Three-Point Shootout and All-Star Game.
Jaylon Tyson will join him in San Francisco, playing in Rising Stars Game. Jarrett Allen and the others will be able to enjoy their time off. Though it would be anything but surprising to see some teammates in attendance to help build chemistry and cheer Mitchell and Tyson on.
The team finished their pre-break slate with the short-handed Wizards tomorrow night. The odds should be in their favor for a win, but nothing is a given in this league. Harden and Mitchell will be looking to do their things, while the bench will look to keep making its contributions.
A team that hasn’t been at full-strength all year, they earned their tough win without Evan Mobley and Dean Wade last night. No defensive anchors, no problem. It’s been the next man up, and that will probably remain the case.
There’s a new contender in the Eastern Conference, folks.