Draymond Green defends James Harden amid Cavs struggles vs. Pistons

The criticism has been loud. Draymond Green isn’t buying all of it.

As the Cavaliers try to regroup heading into Game 3 against Detroit, Green offered a different perspective on James Harden and his recent playoff struggles.

“Some of James’ struggles is due to that,” Green said on his podcast, referencing the Pistons’ size and length. “Those guys are much younger than him… I think some of the criticism he’s getting is everybody is tying different years and series to this one. No, this I think is just a tough series for him.”

That lines up with what we’ve seen.

Detroit has thrown wave after wave of length at Harden. Cade Cunningham. Ausar Thompson. Tobias Harris. Even Duncan Robinson at 6-foot-7. It adds up.

Still, the numbers are what they are.

In the first two games of the series, Harden is a combined 9-of-28 from the field, 1-of-11 from three, with 11 turnovers. In Game 2 alone, he went 3-of-13 with a minus-15.

And that’s where this series has turned.

As noted in my Dribbles after Game 2, the Cavaliers aren’t being overwhelmed. They’re being undone by details. Execution. Timing. Possessions that slip away.

Green’s point is context.

“Tie it into everything and try to discredit who he is as a player… some series are just much tougher than others,” he said.

Fair. But the Cavs don’t have time to wait it out.

Game 3 is Saturday in Cleveland (3 p.m., NBC/Peacock). Down 0-2, they need more. From Harden. From everyone.