"Harden is one of the best pick-and-roll ball handlers the game has ever seen. Since being traded to Cleveland, he ranks in the 91.9th percentile in efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler."
"The main difference between Mitchell and Harden is how they create offense. Mitchell is a score-first guard who loves putting up gaudy point totals, while Harden balances between creating for himself and creating for others."
"That balance is what makes Harden so difficult to guard. Do you want to force him to pass, or force him to score? He is, after all, one of two players in league history to have multiple seasons leading the league in scoring and assists."
"One blemish on Harden's career is his playoff resume. In big moments, he has shown a tendency to become passive, deferring instead of hunting his own shot."
The Raptors are set to face the Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs, where Cleveland's offense is led by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. Harden, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists since his midseason trade, excels in pick-and-roll and isolation situations. While Mitchell is a score-first guard, Harden balances scoring and playmaking, making him challenging to defend. Toronto's strategy should focus on forcing Harden to take more shots, addressing his tendency to defer in crucial playoff moments.
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