Cavs: 2 reasons they lead the league in assists thus far

Cavs: 2 reasons they lead the league in assists – An elite finisher

In the Cavs’ season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Cavs’ newly-paid starting center set an NBA record in a season opener by making all 11 of his field-goal attempts. He was throwing down dunks and even occasionally stepping out for short jumpers, and was their leading scorer with 25 points. You can’t get any more efficient than that.

The finishing ability of Allen has been a huge boon to the Cavs. He has made 16 of his 17 field goal attempts in two games, all of them 2-pointers, and 14 of those have been assisted by his teammates. Pass Allen the ball near the rim and he is going to finish. Assists are credited to the passer, but the receiving player has to finish for it to count.

Allen is finishing, getting into good position and trusting his teammates to hit him in the right spot. He is setting hard screens and then racing to the rim, and the slivers of space are all he needs to finish. If there’s not enough space on the court he just creates some by going to outer space.

I know we already watched that, but I just want to keep it on replay again and again. It’s not simply a nasty dunk; it shows Allen’s increased aggressiveness this season in going after the rim. Even with high-volume scorers like Collin Sexton and alongside a high-profile rookie in Evan Mobley, Allen is confident in his role and is seeking out baskets. That determination has put him in positions for his point guards to find him for a dunk or layup.

Odds are that the Cavs will fall back to earth a bit in terms of passing, but it’s not a given. Rubio and Garland aren’t going anywhere, Mobley will only improve, and Allen is showing no signs of giving opposing big men mercy. A step forward in moving the ball is a major sign of health for this offense, one that can cut down on the turnovers and begin keeping them in games, even against better opposition.