Jaylon Tyson on James Harden’s Early Impact in Cleveland: “His Will to Win Is Special”
James Harden hasn’t been in a Cavaliers uniform long-just three games into his Cleveland chapter-but he’s already leaving an impression, and not just with his signature step-backs or pick-and-roll wizardry. Rising star Jaylon Tyson, one of the Cavs’ promising young pieces, is getting a firsthand look at what Harden brings to the table-and it goes beyond the stat sheet.
“Really good at pick and roll, really good player,” Tyson said ahead of the Rising Stars competition. That’s not breaking news for anyone who’s followed Harden’s career.
He’s built his offensive identity around surgical reads in the two-man game, manipulating defenses with a blend of patience, vision, and elite shot-making. But what’s catching Tyson’s attention is what Harden brings off the court.
“One thing I learned about him, especially James Harden, is like, obviously you see him as the scorer, all the accolades, but his will to win and his want to win is something that's special that I notice about him,” Tyson said.
That’s the kind of insight that matters in a young locker room still figuring out its identity. Harden’s reputation has always been a mix of MVP-level production and public narratives-some fair, some not. But Tyson’s early interactions paint a different picture of the 10-time All-Star.
“Honestly, like, he has a perception about himself, about him off the court, and everybody has a narrative about him, but he's actually a super cool dude,” Tyson added. “Obviously, I've been around him for a couple of days, but he’s a super cool dude.”
That kind of connection matters. The Cavs are a team built around a core of competitors-Donovan Mitchell, Tyson, and now Harden-who prioritize winning. And if Harden’s mindset is already resonating with the younger guys, it bodes well for Cleveland’s chemistry moving forward.
So far, the early returns speak for themselves. The Cavaliers are 3-0 since Harden joined the lineup, and the fit has been seamless.
He’s finding his spots, scoring when needed, and-maybe most importantly-not stepping on anyone’s toes. Roles haven’t been disrupted, and the offense has flowed with a sense of balance that suggests this group is figuring things out quickly.
Tyson, for his part, has continued to contribute within that system. Over those three games, he’s averaging 11 points while shooting 40% from the field and 36% from deep. That’s efficient, confident basketball from a young player adjusting to a new dynamic-and it’s a sign that Harden’s presence isn’t just being felt in the box score, but in the locker room and on the practice floor (even if they haven’t had a full team session yet).
There’s still plenty of season left, and the Cavs will face tougher tests ahead. But in just a few days, Harden’s influence is already starting to show-and Tyson’s comments offer a glimpse into the kind of leader the former MVP can be when he’s locked in. Cleveland may have added more than just a scorer-they might’ve added the kind of veteran presence that helps elevate a team from good to great.