Cavs Make It Clear: Jarrett Allen Deserves NBA All-Star Recognition
After another monstrous performance in a lopsided Cleveland Cavaliers victory over the Washington Wizards, Jarrett Allen's teammates are making the case: Get this man to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
"This motherf***er is playing like Wilt. All-Star. Indianapolis," Tristan Thompson said as Allen was being interviewed in the locker room following the win.
"I'm hard-pressed to find a guy, a big guy, who's playing better than Jarrett Allen," Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff added. "I think we all need to take a serious look at his All-Star accolades because I don't know many big guys, if any, that are playing better than him right now."
Since the injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Allen has put every bit of his skill set on display. He's dominated the paint on the offensive end of the floor and locked it down on the other, he's attacked the glass on a mission and he's passing and creating as well as he has entire career.
In the 10 games the Cavs have played without their two missing stars, dating back to Dec. 16, Allen has averaged 18.4 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. Only three other players in the NBA have accomplished that: Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Domantas Sabonis.
And even more impressively, Allen's 68.1 percent clip from the field eclipses each of those superstars.
"Obviously I could say his aggressiveness, but I really truly feel that he's been doing this. This is who he is," Donovan Mitchell said. "I mean at this level, maybe not 20 rebounds a night, but he's a guy that continuously comes in and does this. And I think that the outside world necessarily doesn't look at what he's doing as a complete: 'Where is this coming from?'
"We've seen that he's been a guy that's consistent, whether it's in the training room on the court, getting into his stuff, and he's been a guy that's really taken on a lot with Mobley out. He's done it himself and down there obviously with the help of T-Time (Thompson) as well. He's just taking it upon himself. I got mad at him [Friday] when he traveled ‘cause he looked indecisive. I was like, 'No, I throw you the ball, you go. Don't even think about it.' And I think that's something that's [we have] that confidence in him and he has that confidence right now."
Jan 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Isaac Okoro, in a hilarious interview full of Allen praise, made it known that he's making the case for him to make it to Indy for the league's premier showcase.
"Rings to my ears. That sounds lovely to me. I want to see him in Indiana," Okoro said.
Of course, Allen is never one to talk about himself. Asked about his All-Star chances and whether it was a goal of his, he chose to reply with a neutral tone.
"It’d be nice," Allen said. "Honestly, I know how things work out. I wasn't playing good for the whole season. I sat out at the beginning of it. So, I understand if I'm not and I understand if I am."
Mitchell didn't stand for that answer, looking at Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor immediately: "Yes, Chris. And he will be."
