Kendrick Perkins has had enough of James Harden's defense in playoffs

Kendrick Perkins has had enough of James Harden's defense in playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Late-game defense was the difference between the Cleveland Cavaliers heading home with a 1-0 lead and watching the New York Knicks pull off the largest fourth-quarter conference finals comeback since 1997.

James Harden's coverage of Jalen Brunson during the final eight minutes of Game 1 has now become the central talking point in Cleveland, and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins added some fuel to the conversation on Wednesday morning. "James Harden was a defensive liability once again," Perkins said. "The Knicks were scoring on him at will.

The entire Knicks squad was 9-15 in the 4th and OT when Harden was the defender. Brunson was 7-8. " Why Atkinson's refusal to adjust on Harden has become the central question Perkins pointed the next finger at Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson.

"At some point if you're Kenny Atkinson, you have to see this and get him off the damn floor. Here we are again. Different series, same story.