Jarrett Allen: Nice Head of Hair

Futuredome said:

Mobley will be a assist machine

Click to expand...

Randolphkeys said:

If you aren't on Team Tower City, you are dead to me.

Click to expand...

Lee said:

So we have Sexland and Tower City...if we put them together what do we get? Sex in the City?

Click to expand...

Lee said:

So we have Sexland and Tower City...if we put them together what do we get? Sex in the City?

Click to expand...

Cavatt said:

Mofro

Click to expand...

Soar said:

I respect Allen saying what he did about the 5th seed in two-three years comment.

I'd rather the guys have a plan for growth and sustainable success then just to give the old empty mantra of "our goal is a championship."

Setting realistic goals with a plan of how to reach them is much more effective than setting crazy goals with no plan.

Click to expand...

kidduck said:

Jarrett Allen re-signed with Cleveland Cavaliers to be part of turnaround: ‘I see a bright future here that I fit in perfectly’​

Chris Fedor, cleveland.com 11 hrs ago



LAS VEGAS — Jarrett Allen has been through something similar.


The 2017 draft’s 22nd selection to Brooklyn — a time when the franchise was in the early stages of a rebuild — Allen was once considered a potential building block, joining a core of D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Joe Harris and Spencer Dinwiddie. That group, led by head coach Kenny Atkinson, was supposed to help usher in a new era of Brooklyn basketball, pulling the Nets from beneath the rubble and eventually back to prominence.

Allen wasn’t around long enough to reach the summit. Less than midway through his fourth season, Brooklyn dealt the prospective free agent as part of a January three-team blockbuster that sent James Harden to the Nets and brought Allen to Cleveland.

He went from the glitz and glamour of New York to blue-collar Cleveland. From title contender to cellar dweller. This time, Allen wants to be present when a turnaround is complete.

It’s a major reason why, after considering other options in restricted free agency, Allen re-signed with the Cavaliers, officially inking a five-year contract on the first day league rules permitted.

“It’s been one hell of a ride,” Allen told cleveland.com and one other reporter in an intimate conversation following Tuesday’s Summer League practice at a Las Vegas high school.

“Coming from Brooklyn, the championship aspirations in Brooklyn and then coming to a rebuilding team where not every game is going to be a fight for the championship, we know that, but we’re all fighting to get better, fighting to improve our game so down the line we can be part of a championship team. Seeing a team like this, knowing what it takes, we have all the right guys and the right mindsets to do it. So, I thought, ‘Hey, I’m willing to be part of this again, especially with these guys.’

“I see a bright future here that I fit in perfectly.”

Of course, the guaranteed $100 million contract, which is a straightforward deal at $20 million annually, didn’t hurt Cleveland’s pitch either.

“I’ve never been a person to get too overly excited,” Allen said when asked about the process. “But it’s hard not to when you know that your future could be changing in a couple of weeks or a couple days. Then when you finally signed the papers, which I did, I still don’t think it’s hit me yet. I still don’t know what it’s like to be in that league of people, that league of players.”

On Aug. 6, he showed his commitment to the Cavs. He’s all in, with the actions to back that up. Even before signing, Allen was working out with Cavaliers coaches at the Independence practice facility. He was staying connected with teammates off the court. He was often sporting wine-and-gold gear.

Now Allen’s in Vegas with each member of Cleveland’s five-man core — Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley — plus youngsters Dylan Windler and Dean Wade. They’re all supporting teammates from the bench, offering advice before, during and after games, even conducting workout sessions prior to practices.

“It’s extremely beneficial,” said J.J. Outlaw, who is coaching the summer Cavs. “They bring a certain level of experience that all of the summer league guys really respect. I think it shows a lot of maturity on their part for being here. ... They’re not just in Vegas. They’re out here, they’re in the gym, they’re working with the guys, they’re coaching the guys, cheering them on. It means a lot. See how things are done and the culture that we’re building here in Cleveland.”

Every now and then, the 23-year-old Allen and the other “veterans” who aren’t part of the 12-man Summer League roster, jump into the drills.

Leadership. Accountability. Camaraderie.

“I’m still a young guy too,” Allen said with a chuckle. “Almost like getting a head start in terms of team chemistry. Getting a feel for everybody and playing on the court almost accelerates getting to know each other.”

During Sunday’s game against the Houston Rockets, the night Evan Mobley made his debut, Allen was in the locker room at halftime studying the stat sheet. It’s almost as if he was the one playing. But he wasn’t. In street clothes, with his glorious, signature afro temporarily tucked into a small bun to cope with the scorching 100-degree desert heat, Allen was dissecting the game from a different point of view. His goal was to help Mobley, Cleveland’s prized rookie, the bouncy 7-footer expected to join Allen in the frontcourt to create a dynamic, defensive-minded tandem for years to come. Call them “Frobley.” Perhaps “Tower City.”



“So much potential,” Allen said of Mobley. “That word is the word of the draft. So much potential. But really with Evan, you can see it in every aspect of his game. Saw him down low dunking on people already. Being strong and confident with the ball down low, I think that’s a big part of his growth moving forward. I mean, the guy is 7-foot, 7-1, and had three blocks on Sunday night. And he was able to defend the rim and go out on the perimeter.


“He’s quiet but he’s here to work. Come in, say, ‘Hey,’ lift his weights, practice, ‘bye.’ He’s starting to come out of his shell a little .
Despite skeptics, the Cavs are convinced the duo will be effective together. They’re both plus-defenders, able to protect the rim and switch onto smalls — a critical setup for a team currently committed to an undersized backcourt. Offensively, Mobley is better — and more comfortable — on the perimeter. Allen is considered a traditional 5 while members of the organization see Mobley as a 4 who could also spend some time at center, depending on matchups.


In that sense, the two complement one another, with Mobley filling in the gaps Allen currently lacks.


“Two really good, versatile basketball players in the frontcourt, how could it not work?” Outlaw asked rhetorically.


According to one source who watched practice on Monday, Allen, listed at 6-foot-11 and 243 pounds, looked stronger. It’s an area he’s focused on this offseason. Along with that, Allen recognizes the need to become a more reliable shooter. He’s also worked on his post game — specifically face-up and back-to-the-basket moves. Often reliant on teammates getting looks for him, Allen wants to be able to create more on his own. That would help Cleveland’s 28th-ranked offensive efficiency last season — a continuation of the post-LeBron James organizational struggles.


In the three years since LeBron left for Los Angeles, the Cavs have won just 60 games. They were 22-50 this past season, tied for the league’s fourth-worst record.


So, what’s possible this year, with a young group that Allen believes in so strongly?


“I’ve never been a guy that puts a number on things,” Allen said. “I think if you put a number on things and you fail at it, kind of regret doing it, makes you feel bad about yourself. But ... if we can accelerate the process, especially in our growth and in our knowledge on the basketball court, then maybe two, three years down the line we’re fighting for that fifth seed or something.


“This year, we want to play meaningful games. That’s been the big go-around word. Meaningful games. I think we can do that.”


That remains to be seen. Same with the functionality of the Mobley-Allen duo. But what’s certain is Allen’s place in Cleveland’s future. After giving up a first-round pick to acquire him from Brooklyn, immediately labeling him the long-term center and sending signals they were going to match any offer sheet, the Cavs made Allen their top priority. The big man has felt that support since joining in January.


But as a free agent for the first time, he owed it to himself to look at all options. Then it became clear. Cleveland is where he wants to be.


It’s home.


“It’s hard to describe what it is that makes you feel at home, but definitely looking around, the fans are a big part,” Allen said. “Not only basketball, but you look at the Browns, Guardians and even the Monsters, they all have big crowds. The city is willing to fight for everybody.


“It’s almost a feeling of getting drafted again. I mean, not completely the same, but you have a team that’s taking a chance on you — like drafting me, giving me a contract — and now it’s like I feel at home, I feel wanted, I feel ready to fight for this team and do all that I can.”

Click to expand...

mds said:

Lots of nicknames for this .250 team

Click to expand...

Muffinalt said:

Absolutely love this guy's personality.

Actually all our core players. We have loveble, humble kids who all want to work.

How the hell did this happen in today's NBA?

Click to expand...

Muffinalt said:

Absolutely love this guy's personality.

Actually all our core players. We have loveble, humble kids who all want to work.

How the hell did this happen in today's NBA?

Click to expand...

2 For The Brew said:

It was a complete accident. There’s no chance it was planned because nothing good ever happens in Cleveland, JBB can’t coach and Koby is an idiot.

In all seriousness this is the M.O. of the Cavaliers from day one outside of LeBron. We were never a team that had “The Guy.” We had a bunch of likeable ballers who played as a team. The Miracle at Richfield team was patiently built and was incredibly balanced with an emphasis on defense. The 1984-85 team (George Karl’s first year as a head coach) was a relatively low talent group that got hot and gave the Celtics a hell of a first round series. The Daugherty - Nance - Price - Hot Rod Cavaliers we’re similar to this group - young, good guys, played as a team.

We‘ve also had some bad times - Stepien, the years after Daugherty & before LeBron, and the painful period after LeBron left the first time.

Obviously Dan’s decision to try and keep the team competitive after LeBron left the second time was an error, particularly signing Kevin to that contract. But since Lue left and reality crashed in that we were a total rebuild the team has carefully assembled a solid young core. The low risk gambles (KPJ, Drummond) didn’t pan out but both are gone and we didn’t lose much. It will be fun watching this team develop.

Click to expand...

Man Called X said:

The Spurs built a culture on drafting players that were over themselves. To me, it seems we are doing a similar thing here.

Click to expand...