Which Cavs are too low, too high on ESPN’s Top 100?
Which Cavs are just right on ESPN’s Top 100?
Jarrett Allen at 52
Jarrett Allen snuck onto the Eastern Conference All-Star Team last season, and deservedly so. He had a breakout year as one of the league’s best interior finishers and rim protectors. The Cavs leapt up to fifth int he league in defense in large part due to his presence inside. Offensively, he was key to Darius Garland’s development, presenting an incredible target for interior passes.
Yet it’s hard to argue with many of the players who checked in higher than Allen on this list. Some missed last season due to injury, others play more premium positions or have proven it in the postseason. As a non-shooting center value is limited in the modern NBA, even if Allen is maximizing his value inside of those caveats. Cavs fans and this author will probably rank him a bit higher, but it’s a relatively fair landing spot, especially compared to many of the egregious mistakes on the rest of the list.
Donovan Mitchell at 24
Donovan Mitchell was the lone member of the Cleveland Cavaliers to land inside of the Top-25, sliding just inside it at 24th overall. That seems about right for an offense-first guard with an up-and-down postseason record the past few seasons. He has the potential to check in a tier higher, but he needs to show it first.
Of the players ranked about him, just Bradley Beal is an obvious candidate for Mitchell to jump. Everyone else deserves their spot to one extent or another. If Mitchell escels in Cleveland alongside Garland and with Mobley and Allen protecting the paint behind him, he could fight his way back up into the teens. For now this is where he should land.
Next. . dark
What did you think? How did ESPN do ranking the Cavs? Did NBARank come in clutch or airball the exercise entirely? As long as it’s them and not me posting rankings to get attacked mercilessly online, all is good*. Let’s see how the Cavs can improve their standing this season.
Editor’s Note: Josh is actually a glutton for punishment and will be posting his own NBA player rankings over the next few weeks