Jarrett Allen: Nice Head of Hair

[J_J]

Major props for Allen. I was worried that he may play soft this year but he has impressed me by far. He has been very physical in the paint both offensively and defensively. Love his off the ball movement and also brought in some nice dishes. Will even be better for Mobley’s development.

 

[Kiddo]

Allen's struggles or lack of effort at the end of last season are likely tied to us tanking. It's going to be fun watching our trio of 7 footers grow and gel together.

 

[CleveRocks]

Having one or two other seven footers on the floor frees him to take more risks on defense, which you can see on the highlights.. an agile guard can get around a single block attempt, but when ther are six arms waving in space, there is no place to take the ball.

Also, defenses can cover a seven footer, but not all seven footers.. Laurie outside ( or Love surprisingly) and Mobley in midrange is going to create seams for Jarret. All we need is for the guards to get him the ball..

Edit: aftertought.. Allen and Drummond did not play much together, but when they did Drummond was a selfish bitch.. One unsung positive about Mobley, and even Mark, is that they are not selfish with the ball, and don't seem to care about getting thier touches in.. Mark shoots a lot, but JBB has said that is the gameplan..

 

[Man Called X]

Also, I thought this went without saying...

But, reading some posts tonight apparently some people actually thought Allen was overpaid? Even Cavs fans?

He's making 20 million per year. That's like average starter money these days. Jarrett Allen has been above-average since he stepped into this league. Frankly, he's underpaid or worst case is very adequately paid.

Allen's contract never should have been in question, especially amongst Cavs fans. Pretty odd considering the lack of talent on this team since LeBron left. He is a core piece of this team and after Mobley is the only person that can be penciled into the lineup for the foreseeable future.

It's revisionist history to think there wasn't cause for skepticism with JA. He balled out when he first came to Cleveland, got that concussion, and didn't look even close to the same player the rest of the year.

I was one that argued he was slightly overpaid and that we should've let the market dictate his price. I had real concerns that while he was young, his potential growth was very limited because his per 36 numbers basically stayed the same even with the increased role in Cleveland. And like many, I still haven't adjusted to the new contract ranges in the NBA.

I'm happy to have been proven wrong so far.

 

[CavsFan07]

I am very, very happy with his start to the season. Definitely earning that contract.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Bickerstaff greatly values on/off metrics. In four games, the Cavs have an offensive rating of 112.7 with Allen on the court and 106.7 with him off. The team’s defensive rating drops by more than 16 points per 100 possessions with him off the floor as well. Even though he has just three total blocks, Allen ranks third in the NBA -- and second on the team behind rookie Evan Mobley -- in contested shots. He’s got 52 of them. Mobley, by the way, already has 72. - Chris Fedor

The Cavs are 16 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Allen on the court. Incredible.

It's not just that the Cavs have three 7-footers. It's that they are all agile and can defend wings on the perimeter. The Nuggets were 8-for-39 on 3's last night because they were mostly shooting over 7-footers.

At crunch time Bickerstaff pulled Garland and Sexton and went with the three bigs plus Rubio and Okoro. IOW, he put the team's best defensive lineup on the floor rather than go with the starting guards and try to outscore the opponent down the stretch. He chose defense over offense. It will be interesting to see if that continues in close games.

 

[chuck0609]

Mobley falling to us somehow will save his job, getting Allen wont hurt though

The combo of both are excellent. They are athletic, long and causing havoc. Okoro is a the issue at this point - imagine if they were able to get a viable SG in that draft…

 

[Ohio]

It's revisionist history to think there wasn't cause for skepticism with JA. He balled out when he first came to Cleveland, got that concussion, and didn't look even close to the same player the rest of the year.

I was one that argued he was slightly overpaid and that we should've let the market dictate his price. I had real concerns that while he was young, his potential growth was very limited because his per 36 numbers basically stayed the same even with the increased role in Cleveland. And like many, I still haven't adjusted to the new contract ranges in the NBA.

I'm happy to have been proven wrong so far.

Its just been surprising to me to see so many posters discussing him "being worth the money" - I apparently completely missed the narrative that a segment of fans thought he was overpaid. To be fair, I definitely tuned out at the end of last season and wasn't very active at all in the Cavs sections of RCF for awhile (outside of S34), so I guess that may explain my ignorance

I guess from my perspective, I've long been a fan of Allen's game and was overjoyed when the Cavs acquired him for essentially nothing. I also wanted to re-sign him at all costs, if for no other reason than to have a valuable asset on this team, of which we've had very few over the years. We can't be in the business of letting valuable assets leave for nothing.

 

[chuck0609]

P

Its just been surprising to me to see so many posters discussing him "being worth the money" - I apparently completely missed the narrative that a segment of fans thought he was overpaid. To be fair, I definitely tuned out at the end of last season and wasn't very active at all in the Cavs sections of RCF for awhile (outside of S34), so I guess that may explain my ignorance

I guess from my perspective, I've long been a fan of Allen's game and was overjoyed when the Cavs acquired him for essentially nothing. I also wanted to re-sign him at all costs, if for no other reason than to have a valuable asset on this team, of which we've had very few over the years. We can't be in the business of letting valuable assets leave for nothing.

I think the money comments are more of giving Koby a Pat on the back for paying the dude. We still have Love on the roster who is the exact opposite. Or we remember playing a Tristian Thompson 14M a year to be a role player. Allen looks to be more than that, which as a Cavs fan is awesome, and refreshing to see.

 

[Derek]

P

I think the money comments are more of giving Koby a Pat on the back for paying the dude. We still have Love on the roster who is the exact opposite. Or we remember playing a Tristian Thompson 14M a year to be a role player. Allen looks to be more than that, which as a Cavs fan is awesome, and refreshing to see.

Tristan also got that $14M when the cap was about half what it is now (they did know a jump was coming though).

 

[Cavatt]

It is entirely possible that both: 1) he's playing great, and 2) the early-season criticisms were fair, are both true.

I am wondering if this was an issue with them just not working together at first. The defense and rebounding both have improved dramatically from the first game.

It's not like they haven't made mistakes the last 2 games, but there were several stretches the first 2 where they just seemed out of sorts and especially the 3 big guys weren't sure who was supposed to be doing what. They seem much more sure of themselves these last 2.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I am wondering if this was an issue with them just not working together at first. The defense and rebounding both have improved dramatically from the first game.

It's not like they haven't made mistakes the last 2 games, but there were several stretches the first 2 where they just seemed out of sorts and especially the 3 big guys weren't sure who was supposed to be doing what. They seem much more sure of themselves these last 2.

Oh, I agree completely. I'm just saying that is someone was being critical of that rebounding in particular in those first two games, they had every right to be. As it is now, it seems like Allen in particular has really figured out what their respective roles are, and my guess is that he really likes having Mobley out there with him. They look really good together defensively, and if either one of them can develop more range on a consistent jumper, that's going to be huge.

 

[Cavatt]

Oh, I agree completely. I'm just saying that is someone was being critical of that rebounding in particular in those first two games, they had every right to be. As it is now, it seems like Allen in particular has really figured out what their respective roles are, and my guess is that he really likes having Mobley out there with him. They look really good together defensively, and if either one of them can develop more range on a consistent jumper, that's going to be huge.

Absolutely. You have to rebound well when you have 3 7 footers out there.

I was shocked Jokic had 22. He ended up with what looked like a strong game, but they shut his playmaking down and that was great.

I really paid attention and instead of always staying between their man and the basket, the team was very disciplined at staying in front of their man and Jokic. He couldn't put it over the top easily because 3 7 foot guys.

Starting to believe in the coaching staff a little more. Getting Sexton and Garland more integrated is going to be important.

 

[Cassity14]

He's the second best player on the team, and I don't think it's particularly close.

What an absolute find.

 

[Lee]

The combo of both are excellent. They are athletic, long and causing havoc. Okoro is a the issue at this point - imagine if they were able to get a viable SG in that draft…

I am not thrilled with Okoro yet, but his defense was incredible last game, really all season. If you look at how some of the better wings develop (ps a wing is a sg/sf not just sf and we use the term wrong around here), it takes some a few years to get where they are. Not all, but Okoro is in the beginning of his 2nd year and still only 20. (we share the same birthday actually, although i am a bit older, lol)

Basically he started college early and is the same age as Mobley. I dont see all star in him, but i think he can be a solid contributor with his work ethic and athletic ability and mentality.

Time will tell with Okoro.