James Harden Compared to Lamar Jackson Over Playoff Struggles by NBA Legend Joe Johnson

After a disappointing performance in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is once again facing scrutiny for his playoff struggles.

During Monday's episode of the Nightcap podcast, former NBA star Joe Johnson compared Harden's postseason woes to two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson's struggles to break through and lead the Baltimore Ravens to a spot in the Super Bowl.

"They scrutinize you too, especially James, because they understand the situations he's been in the past in the postseason. So they're gonna watch every time he gets in the postseason, bro," Johnson said around the 6:00 mark. "It's kind of like when you look at Lamar Jackson, it's like, damn, we know he's going to be great during the regular season. But hell, in the postseason, can he win us some games? Can we get to the Super Bowl? It's similar to that."

Harden finished with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting while the Cavs suffered a 93-89 loss, which tied the first-round series at 2-2. He led Cleveland with eight assists, but he also had a game-high seven turnovers.

Cavaliers-Raptors Highlights

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Despite being known as one of the best offensive players of his generation, Harden has developed a reputation for shrinking under the bright lights of the playoffs. The 36-year-old hasn't made it to the NBA Finals since his third season in the league in 2012 when he was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's suited up for five different franchises since then.

The Cavs still have time to figure things out, so Harden will be driven to bounce back in a big way when they face the Raptors in Game 5 in Cleveland on Wednesday night.