James Harden showed up for the 2026-27 NBA season *relatively out of shape*, a shocking admission he made himself after finally dropping 32 points in a crucial 115-107 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. This isn’t just some locker room rumor, either. Harden actually told reporters he barely played basketball over the summer, and that decision has clearly hit the Cavaliers hard as they try to get their season going.
“I’m Not Young”: The Price of an Elongated Vacation
The 37-year-old guard was crystal clear about why his start has been so rough before that big Knicks game. He knew it was coming. “I knew it was going to take a little bit of time to get adjusted to the speed, the pace, all of the above,” he told reporters. He didn’t stop there, either, pointing directly to his age as a factor. “I’m not young, so I can’t just be ready (immediately), so I already knew that coming into the season.” This isn’t a guy making excuses; it’s a veteran owning up to the reality of his preparation, or lack thereof. Whether he was intentionally managing his body or just chilling out on an extended break over the summer, it undeniably led to a rough start for him and, by extension, for the Cavs.
Playing His Way Into Form, Finally
Now, though, Harden claims he’s turning the corner. “So now it’s like, all right, cool, (now) I feel really good. And the work is automatically getting put in. That’s why I have been able to last so long in this league,” he stated. He added that he’s actively “trying to get in really good shape and learn my teammates.” So, essentially, he’s been using the start of the NBA season to get himself back into game shape. If that Wednesday night performance, where he lit up the Knicks, is what we can expect going forward, then the Cavs are going to be in a far, far better spot. It’s wild to think a player of his caliber would need to play himself into shape once the season kicks off, but here we are.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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