Putting the spotlight on Jarrett Allen’s impressive start for Cavs

Despite dropping their last two games, the Cleveland Cavaliers are off to an impressive 8-3 start. The Wine and Gold’s success begins with their newest addition in Donovan Mitchell.

The sixth-year guard averages nearly 32 points per game and connects on almost 45 percent of his three-point attempts. Evan Mobley is also continuing the success he saw as a rookie with 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a great start. While many players are driving their success, it’s center Jarrett Allen who is anchoring this Cavs team

But another critical component of the Cavaliers’ early-season success is center Jarrett Allen. While Allen is known for helping anchor the Wine and Gold’s defense, he is also a vital component of the Cavaliers’ offense.

Through 11 games this season, Allen is averaging around 10 shots per game but has topped double-digits in nine games this season. Allen is also shooting over 54 percent from the floor.

While the focal points of the Cavaliers’ offense are their guards Mitchell and Darius Garland, Allen’s ability to finish inside and even hit the occasional elbow jump shot is vital to Cleveland’s offensive success. Allen can make defenses pay for helping out elsewhere, as he is always a threat to catch a lob pass or throw down a ferocious dunk if he gets the opportunity.

Allen also can be productive from the low post as well, and as the season moves along, the Cavaliers should attempt to get Allen the ball more on the blocks as he is developing a nice offensive game around the rim.

Cleveland certainly appreciates what Allen provides on the offensive end, but where he makes the biggest impact night in and night out is on the defensive end of the floor.

Last season Allen blocked over one shot per game and also was fifth-best in the NBA at contesting shots, averaging 11.8 shots per game. This season we are seeing much of the same from the sixth-year center. So far this season, Allen is blocking 1.4 shots per game and is eighth-best in the NBA with 11.4 contests per game.

Overall, Allen has done an excellent job at contesting shots without fouling. Still, he has gotten into foul trouble a few times as the Cavaliers’ defense is giving up a lot of penetration to opposing teams of late, and that is forcing Allen, along with Mobley, to cover up more defensive mistakes. Sometimes they are caught out of position and have no other choice but to foul.

While there have been fouls, Allen has already made his fair share of spectacular blocks, whether on a big man attempting to back him down or a guard driving down the lane.

Allen has stated multiple times that he knows his role on this Cavaliers team, and he is more than content with it. His selfless, team-first attitude is what makes this team special. In an era where locker rooms become divided and players sometimes favor their self-interests over what is best for the team, Allen’s attitude embodies why the Cavaliers are succeeding. He doesn’t try to do too much, knows his role, and sticks to it.

While Allen may not receive much attention from the national media or featured highlights on SportsCenter, he is more than alright with that because he doesn’t care about all of the outside noise, he wants to help Cleveland win, and he’s doing a fine job of that this season.