Donovan Mitchell Comes to Harden’s Defense Amidst Criticism

James Harden is heading into his 18th NBA season and has yet to win a championship. The criticism has never been louder. His Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Donovan Mitchell is not buying any of it, Yankee Scores reports.

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their chance to get to the NBA Finals after a four-game loss to the New York Knicks. The conversation has shifted around Harden, one that has turned negative. In 18 playoff games for the Cavaliers this season, Harden averaged 19.2 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds with 31 total steals and 12 blocks. His 84 turnovers were a concern, giving critics exactly what they needed to pick him apart.

Mitchell refused to stay silent. In a three minute defense of his teammate, he stated that critics consistently undermine the influence of Harden on the game.

“I think we ignore his greatness in a major way,” Mitchell said via 92.3 The Fan’s Darly Ruiter. “I say we, I really mean y’all, sorry. This man changed the game of basketball in ways that we’ve never seen before. We live in such a ring-dominant culture that we’re willing to write a guy off because he hasn’t gotten there. A guy that’s transcended basketball. Right? Like, in 75 years, no one’s been able to do what he does. You can say the same thing about Steph Curry. Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan. James Harden’s in that.”

He further pointed out that Harden elevates the people around him, sighting his role in Joel Embiid’s MVP season. He brought up how close Harden was to reaching the NBA Finals with the Brooklyn Nets before injuries cut off that run.

“He could have one leg, and he’d be the same. I think it’s really, truly unfair, to be honest. Now more than ever, now that I see it on a daily basis, but that’s just the society we live in,” Mitchell added. “I think we are so quick to jump on him and get on him about what he’s doing at 36. At 36.”