NFL/NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith was on First Take on Friday morning with Skip Bayless to talk about the latest playoff woes for Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden. Harden only scored 10 points, shot 23.7% from the field and committed four turnovers. In the series against the Detroit Pistons, he has more turnovers than field goals.
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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
This has been the story throughout his NBA career in the playoffs. Harden shrinks and chokes when the pressure gets tight. He has only been to the NBA Finals once in his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012. Even with Harden being a great regular season player, should he even be a hall of famer in basketball with his playoff issues or no?
NFL/NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith Thinks That James Harden’s Chances of Being in the Hall of Fame are Shrinking By the Minute
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May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) 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
NFL/NBA analyst Stephen A. was talking about the playoff woes of Harden once again since the Cavaliers are down 0-2 in this series. If Cleveland were to be swept in this series against Detroit, it will be because of how poorly has played. Harden has a history of choking in the playoffs. His performances are so bad that many wonder if he should still be a hall of famer in basketball.
Smith thinks those chances of him being a hall of famer in is potential danger. He said,
“Your [Hall of Fame] status is on the verge of being revoked. Somebody needs to tell him this. … As the moment intensifies, YOU SHRINK.”
There is no doubt that this is the case. There are some great players in NBA history who have never won a title, but they never disappeared in the playoffs like Harden has. Russell Westbrook does not have a title, but he never disappeared in the playoffs like Harden. If Westbrook and Harden retire the same season, Westbrook should go into the hall of fame for basketball before Harden does. If the Cavaliers don’t win a title this season and if Harden continues to play bad, there are going to be many debates moving forward whether he should be a hall of famer or not.
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