Cleveland’s Eastern Conference Finals began with a collapse that will be difficult to forget, even if the series still has room to change.
The Cavaliers lost Game 1 to the Knicks in overtime after dropping a major fourth-quarter lead and failing to stop New York’s late surge.
New York won 115-104 after Jalen Brunson repeatedly attacked Cleveland’s weakest defensive matchup, making James Harden the centre of the post-game criticism.
Max Kellerman unloads on James Harden after Game 1
Former ESPN host Max Kellerman did not hold back on his “Game Over” podcast, where he questioned Cleveland’s reliance on Harden in a championship push.
“Bringing in James Harden to win a championship is like electing Donald Trump to fix your country,” Kellerman said (via Fox News).
It was a sharp line, but Harden’s Game 1 performance gave critics enough material. He finished with 15 points, six turnovers and shot 1-for-8 from three-point range.
The more damaging part came defensively. Harden struggled to stay with Brunson during key late possessions, as the Knicks guard punished Cleveland’s coverage, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter.
For the Cavaliers, that was the nightmare scenario. Harden was brought in to add experience, shot creation and control, not become the target of a playoff comeback.
The problem was not one missed shot or one blown switch. It was the way New York kept returning to the same pressure point.
Still, Harden will not have to wait long for a response. He gets the chance to redeem himself this Thursday in Game 2.
