Cavs’ James Harden opens up on title aspirations: ‘Here for a reason’

Cavaliers guard James Harden continues to chase the one accomplishment that has eluded him throughout a decorated career, and he made it clear in a recent conversation with Marc Spears of Andscape that the pursuit hasn’t slowed — even in year 17.

“I don’t think the world wants to see [my emotions] if that happens,” Harden said. “I put so much work into the game… Still to this day, I’m putting work in right now. I’m here for a reason.”

Harden acknowledged the rarity of maintaining elite play this deep into a career, but emphasized the bigger goal remains unchanged.

“[A championship is] something that I work my butt off for every single day,” he said. “And I’m going to continue to just keep going and keep trying until that happens.”

Asked about his postseason track record and near-misses, Harden didn’t shy away.

“Probably,” he said when asked if he’s had more playoff misfortune than most stars. “Whether it’s injuries, whether it’s personnel… there are a lot of things and situations where I get scrutinized… I don’t have any regrets. I just keep pushing.”

Following the mideseason trade with the Clippers, Harden views his latest opportunity as another shot at finally breaking through.

“It’s an opportunity to reach the endpoint for me,” he said. “We all know what that is… I’m just trying to find ways to put my input on the team and end up with the end result.”

He also addressed the challenge of building chemistry on the fly.

“It’s different because you don’t really have the time,” Harden said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t had that yet, but hopefully you don’t have to.”

As for his partnership with backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell, Harden stressed mutual sacrifice.

“I’m unselfish. He is unselfish,” Harden said. “You have two guys who want to complement each other. That is the most important thing.”