James Harden has shared the court with some of the brightest stars in the NBA, but two current Cleveland Cavaliers have caught his attention as some of the smartest he's ever played with.
Reflecting on his past teammates, Harden's list reads like a who's who of basketball royalty. From battling the 82-win Golden State Warriors with Chris Paul in Houston, to teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, and forming a formidable duo with Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, Harden has been in elite company. Most recently, he shared the spotlight with Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles.
Yet, when it comes to basketball IQ, Harden heaps praise on Max Strus and Sam Merrill. “They can shoot the lights out, but it’s their understanding of the game-when and how to screen-that sets them apart,” Harden shared after a recent victory. Their ability to read the floor and make the right moves opens up driving lanes for Harden, allowing him to either score or find open teammates.
Defensively, their communication is something Harden treasures. “We haven’t even practiced it; they just know,” he said.
“They’re aware of matchups, who’s guarding who, and that’s rare. When you have that, you’ve got something special.”
Such compliments from Harden, a player accustomed to high-IQ teammates, speak volumes.
When Strus heard Harden's remarks, he couldn't help but smile. “Seventeen years in the league, and he says that?
It’s a huge compliment,” Strus remarked. “Sam and I work hard to keep the game simple for them, to maintain spacing, and let them shine.
It’s an honor to be recognized like that.”
With Harden now alongside these savvy Cavaliers, the potential for this team is intriguing. The synergy on the court could very well propel them to new heights.