Jarrett Allen’s eventual nod adds more to ASG for Cavs fans

It was really cool when Darius Garland was selected as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve the week before last, as he’s one of the crucial reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the biggest surprises this season in the NBA. Garland has had 20.1 points and 8.0 assists per game this season, and he’s taken the leap many seemingly expected to take coming into this season, which has been his third in the league.

At the time, it was unfortunate that Jarrett Allen wasn’t initially chosen to represent the East and the hometown Cavaliers, though; I was with our own Justin Brownlow on that one, as Allen appeared to be a huge snub.

Allen was not chosen to replace the injured Kevin Durant from there, either, as LaMelo Ball got Adam Silver’s first one of that variety via commissioner’s choice.

But fortunately, Allen was eventually given the nod by Silver the next go-round, and will replace the recently-traded James Harden (now of the Philadelphia 76ers), who is dealing with a hamstring injury. The league issued that news in the following release from Monday; Allen will join Garland on Team LeBron.

Allen’s eventual nod adds more to the All-Star Game for Cavs fans, and it’ll be great to see him and Garland rep the team and city of Cleveland.

Allen has had a career year, and has more than legitimized his new deal from this past offseason.

The trade acquisition from last year’s Harden-centric trade from the Brooklyn Nets has had career-bests with 16.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, and Allen has shot 66.5 percent. That shooting clip is second in the league, among qualified players, regardless of the vast majority of his shots near the rim, it’s been impressive. Allen has shown marketed improvements in his post game, and has made strides as a driver this season, too.

He’s also tied for sixth in the league in double-doubles this season, and as StatMuse pointed out, his points and rebounds production, combined with his efficiency has been something that’s very rarely been done, as noted by historical context. We’ll have to see if he keeps up the mentioned pace.

Allen being able to rep the Cavs and the city of Cleveland with Garland as an All-Star just adds more to the All-Star Game and festivities.

He’s been one of the league’s best frontcourt players this season with his finishing, on-ball improvements offensively, and he’s one of the key reasons Cleveland has been great defensively this year, as our own Josh Cornelissen highlighted. That’s combined with him, rookie phenom Evan Mobley, along with Isaac Okoro, and solid rotational pieces in that area such as Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and others; Cleveland ranks third in defensive rating.

Allen has clearly had a career season, and with how he was initially acquired from the Harden deal from last season, it’s something else that he’s The Beard’s All-Star injury replacement, honestly.

It’ll be awesome to see a few lobs from Garland to the Fro for Team LeBron, additionally, with the Cavs hosting the All-Star Game this year, too.

With two All-Stars now after Allen’s eventual nod, that just adds another cool element to this year’s All-Star Weekend festivities. And seeing Garland, Allen and Mobley in the Skills Challenge should be really fun as well.

Enjoy the weekend, Cavs fans!