Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho was on his Speakeasy show podcast on Thursday night. One of the biggest stories in the sports world on Thursday night was Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden being an absolutely no show once again in the NBA playoffs. He only scored 10 points in the game. Harden shot under 25% from the field and had four turnovers.
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May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) shoots in the first half against the Detroit Pistons during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
He has had more turnovers than field goals in this series. The Cavaliers lost 107-97 on the road against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2. Detroit leads Cleveland 2-0. Harden is known as a playoff choke artist for a reason, and this year looks no different for his NBA career.
Former NFL Player Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Cleveland Cavaliers Guard James Harden For Another Woeful Performance
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May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) shoots on Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Acho and many other people are thinking the same thing about Harden. How can someone be an all-time great player if they always fade in the postseason? The former NFL player said on his show on Thursday night after another Cavaliers loss,
“I can’t consider James Harden an all-time great player, because he doesn’t show up when it matters.”
He is correct. Harden has won an NBA MVP and also some scoring titles, but he has never elevated anyone around him in the playoffs. Harden has only been in one NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Miami Heat. He disappeared in that series and there is a reason why the Thunder got rid of him.
Harden always disappears when the lights are at its brightest. If he is a hall of famer one of these days, he should not be a first ballot hall of famer because Harden always disappears in the playoffs. Acho and other people probably feel this way as well.
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