Cavs Player Grades: Jarrett Allen has an All-Star season

First off, I’d like to say happy recent birthday to Jarrett Allen, as he recently turned 24 on April 21. Allen has been one of the best players on the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, and one of the best big men in Cleveland history as well. Allen has been one of few big men ever selected to an All-Star game for the Cavaliers. In 56 games this season, Allen averaged 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while only averaging 1.7 fouls per night.

Back last year, Cleveland acquired Allen and Taurean Prince for a first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks and Dante Exum. This trade has been very worthwhile, as Allen has been one of the best big men in the NBA this season, and Taurean Prince was flipped later for Ricky Rubio, who eventually got us Caris LeVert. All of that for practically just a first-round pick and Dante Exum.

This trade was definitely one of Koby Altman’s best, and should help Cleveland in the future for the playoffs.

With that, let’s take a look at how Allen graded out this season for the Cavaliers.

Allen’s defensive play this season

On defense, Allen held down the paint and anchored the defense for the Cavs this season. The Cavaliers held a defensive rating of 108.3 when Allen was on the court, versus 115.9 without him on the court, a good difference. Allen should get some love for the All-Defensive teams, but considering the competition, I doubt he will get any nods.

On the perimeter defensively, Allen can move his feet fast enough to keep up with guards. Against the Portland Trail Blazers early this season, Jarrett Allen stopped Damian Lillard from getting an easy shot, forcing him to chuck up a contested step-back 3-pointer, which was off, resulting in a Cavaliers win.

It was obvious with Allen out with an injury later in the season, the Cavs’ defense struggled, as they only had Evan Mobley to defend the paint, and even Mobley missed some games as well, making the defense very poor at times.

Allen’s offensive play this season

On offense, Allen has never been a floor spacer, but that’s not his game. Allen has been a post scorer, lob threat, and post playmaker. Allen ramped up his offense this season, as in prior seasons he has mainly been known to get rebounds, block shots, and get the occasional alley-oop from time to time.

But this season, his growth on the offensive side of the ball has really helped the Cavaliers, as it seems more and more plays are centered around him. Also, his mid-range game has shown improvements, as in earlier years anywhere outside of the paint would be a bad shot for Allen.

Development

Back in his days in Brooklyn with the Nets, Allen’s game was centered around the paint for both offense and defense, being both a paint scorer and rim protector. Nowadays, Allen seems more comfortable being outside of the paint, as his game has made improvements so much that other people around the league recognized him as All-Star worthy.

The pick-and-roll duo of Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland has shown time and time again that the both of them are a dangerous duo, and a force to be reckoned with. Not a lot of people expected or thought there would be an All-Star season out of Allen this season, but nonetheless, it was welcomed.

Allen’s 2021-22 overall grade: A

For Allen, I would give his season an “A” rating. On offense, I’d give it an A-, considering his development on that end, and his abilities in general. On defense, I’d give him an A, since he was the primary anchor for the Cavaliers’ defense this season when he played.

I may have given him a higher rating on offense if he had played in more games, but I will not blame him for that, you can’t really prevent injuries from happening. I expect a better season coming from Allen next year, alongside other players and the team in general to be better.

Maybe next year Allen will be in considerations for DPOY or be given All-Defensive team honors, depending on how he plays next season.