Unc & Iso Joe CALL James Harden TRASH after Cavs FUMBLE a 22-point lead to Knicks | Nightcap
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The New York Knicks completed the largest playoff comeback in their franchise history, overcoming a 22-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104.
- ❖With less than 8 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers had a 99.9% chance of winning, according to statistical models.
- ❖Iso Joe and Unc heavily blame James Harden for the Cavaliers' collapse, citing his poor shooting (1-for-8 from three, 5-for-16 overall) and lack of defensive effort.
- ❖Harden recorded six turnovers against only five made baskets, marking his sixth playoff game with more turnovers than buckets.
- ❖The hosts criticized the Cavaliers for 'playing not to lose' instead of 'playing to win,' allowing the desperate Knicks to regain momentum.
- ❖Jalen Brunson exploited Harden's defensive liabilities, scoring 11 straight points on him and finishing with 38 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.
- ❖The hosts debated the possibility of benching a star like Harden for poor performance, drawing parallels to past instances where Kyrie Irving was benched.
- ❖Donovan Mitchell was criticized for deferring to Harden in crucial moments instead of taking over the game himself, despite having a strong performance earlier.
Insights
1Cavaliers' Historic Collapse Fueled by Complacency
The Cleveland Cavaliers fumbled a 22-point lead against the Knicks, turning a 99.9% win probability into a loss. The hosts assert that the Cavs began 'playing not to lose' rather than maintaining an aggressive 'playing to win' mentality, allowing the desperate Knicks to mount a historic comeback.
The Knicks were down by as many as 22 points, and with under 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cavs had a 99.9% chance to win. The hosts stated the Cavs 'messed around and looked up at the scoreboard and said, 'We got this.' And they exhale, and by the time they caught their breath Knicks had them tracked them down.'
2James Harden's 'Atrocious' Play and Defensive Liability
James Harden's performance was singled out as the primary reason for the Cavaliers' defeat. He struggled offensively, making only 5 of 16 shots and 1 of 8 from three, and was a significant defensive liability, consistently blown by opponents, particularly Jalen Brunson.
Iso Joe stated, 'I'm putting a lot of the onus and blame on James Harden. He was bad down the stretch, fellas.' He added, 'They went at him every chance they got on defense, and on offense it just seemed like he couldn't make a shot.' Unc highlighted, 'He was one for eight from three. Obviously, he had 15 points, but the five and 16 shoot.'
3Harden's Postseason Inconsistency and Turnovers
Harden's struggles are framed as a recurring issue in his postseason career. He had more turnovers (6) than made baskets (5) in the game, a pattern that has occurred in six of his playoff games this season, undermining his status as a 'top 75 player.'
Unc noted, 'James Harden had six turnovers tonight. How many buckets did he have, O Joe? Five. This is the sixth game in which he's had more turnovers than buckets this playoffs.' He added, 'More times in moments like this, we got to be all the way real. He's come up like what we see tonight. Far too many times, he hasn't been that great post season player.'
4Donovan Mitchell's Misguided Deference to Harden
Despite Donovan Mitchell having a strong game, he was criticized for continuously deferring to James Harden in critical late-game situations, even when Harden was clearly struggling. The hosts argue Mitchell should have taken over the game himself.
Iso Joe questioned, 'Damn, why Donovan keep passing it to James? Hell, you the one got the hell of a game going.' Later, he reiterated, 'I just felt like for Donovan he he he should have took over the game, bro, instead of just kept deferring to James down the stretch.'
5Jalen Brunson's Dominant Fourth Quarter Performance
Jalen Brunson capitalized on Harden's defensive weaknesses, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter and leading the Knicks' comeback. His ability to consistently attack Harden was a key factor in the Knicks' victory.
Unc stated, 'Brunson went at him and scored 11 straight points on Harden.' Later, he added, 'Jalen Brunson had 38. I think he had 17 or 15 in the fourth quarter in the fourth.'
Lessons
- Prioritize defensive effort in high-stakes games: Even star players must commit to defense, especially in crucial moments, as a single stop can change the game's outcome.
- Avoid complacency when leading: Do not shift from an aggressive 'playing to win' mindset to a passive 'playing not to lose' mindset, as it can lead to monumental collapses.
- Recognize and adapt to player performance: Coaches and teammates must identify when a key player is struggling and adjust strategies, rather than continuing to defer to an underperforming star.
Notable Moments
The Knicks' 22-point comeback was the largest in their playoff history, a feat considered nearly impossible with a 0.1% chance of victory in the fourth quarter.
This highlights the extreme nature of the Cavaliers' collapse and the Knicks' resilience, demonstrating how quickly momentum can shift in playoff basketball.
The hosts' intense debate about whether James Harden, a 'top 75 player' and MVP, should be benched for his consistently poor playoff performances, drawing a parallel to Kyrie Irving being benched in a past Cavaliers playoff game.
This discussion underscores the tension between a player's historical status and their current performance, especially in critical postseason moments, and the difficult coaching decisions involved.
The hosts' vivid description of James Harden's defensive effort as 'old lady defense' and 'Olay defense,' where he's 'just opening the ball going in there get what you need.'
This provides a clear and memorable image of Harden's perceived lack of defensive engagement, emphasizing the frustration felt by the analysts and likely by fans.
Quotes
"They were playing not to lose versus playing to win. And when you get a team like the Knicks who know they have to be desperate in the last 7 to 8 minutes, they got to throw up these Hail Marys, hope they make a couple. Hey, man, they they end up getting back in the game."
"If you're not going to give me 25-30 on offense, boy, you better play some damn outstanding defense. You can't suck on both things of the court."
"At what point, even in his prime, was James Harden not a liability on defense?"
"Most accidents occur within a 5-mile radius of home. No matter how far you go, you can see the damn shore. And I'll be damned if James Harden don't drown y'all."
"If you Donovan, you make the big bucks. This why we damn pay you, okay? This is why we You You make the big bucks. This is why we pay you. In these situations when we need you the most, bro."
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