​NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on November 11, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images James Harden arrived to the Cleveland Cavaliers as a divisive figure.As the centerpiece of a trade that sent fan favorite Darius Garland to the Clippers, Harden was always going to face an uphill battle.Now, coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, all eyes are on Harden as he begins his second season with the team. After twelve games, one thing is clear: his performance will determine whether the Cavaliers can improve on last year.The vibes around Harden hit a low point after Cleveland was walloped by the Charlotte Hornets, 124-112, on November 9.He was at the center of the team’s problems. There were long stretches of minimal effort on defense, and he often looked like he was coasting, barely attempting to bring down rebounds.Offensively, it was just as bleak: 11 points on 3-9 shooting with four turnovers. Safe to say, the fanbase was ready to drive Harden to the airport and send him to whatever team, or country, would take him.Then came the Knicks game on November 11.Suddenly, Harden was energized and putting his mark on the game.He orchestrated a 115-107 road win at Madison Square Garden and put the offense on his back with 32 points, going 9-for-14 from the field with five threes and 9-11 at the free throw line.Putting those two games back to back is as stark as it is telling of where the Cavaliers are. The team knew the risks and still entered the James Harden business.This isn’t MVP Harden, and this isn’t the Houston Rockets of the 2010s, but the sentiment still stands: Cleveland is reliant on Harden to make the pieces on this roster gel. When he is at his worst, the ripples spread throughout the entire lineup.The numbers show just how much his play matters, if not in the way Cleveland hoped. Through his first 11 games, the Cavaliers had a -5.6 net rating with Harden on the floor and a +15.7 net rating with him off it. Whatever his Knicks performance does to those numbers, it was a long way from enough to erase them.Is this too much to ask of a 37-year-old? Yes. But the Cavaliers knew this was the route they were taking when they traded for Harden and then extended him on a three-year, $97 million deal. At times this season, it has looked like a grave mistake.Harden is posting some of the lowest numbers of his career: 16.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. That scoring is about seven points below his 23.6 average last season, and about four below the 20.5 he averaged in 26 games after joining Cleveland. His