Handing out awards for the Cavaliers at the third-way point
Handing out Cavaliers awards: Best Defender – Jarrett Allen
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the league’s best defense, and that reality is not driven by a single player. The entire team is playing hard, the coaching staff has prioritized defenders in the rotation (Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens getting plenty of minutes) and Evan Mobley is truly a phenom defensively.
That all being the case, Jarrett Allen has been the Cavs’ best defender. He has a massive frame and elite strength while staying nimble on his feet. He is one of the league’s best rim protectors but isn’t consigned to the paint, with an underrated ability to defend in space. Allen’s versatility to close out and cut off opponents on the perimeter is key to the Cavs’ defensive scheme; he’s not Kawhi Leonard out there, but compared to other 7-footers he is special.
The Cavs are equipped to take down other “big” teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies, and they can hang with perimeter-oriented teams like the Dallas Mavericks or Indiana Pacers. Allen is key to this, not being played off the court no matter the attack they face.
Next. Picking All-Star Teams: How many Cavs make the cut?. dark
There are many more awards that could be handed out because the start of the season has been special for the Cavs. Before too long the Cavaliers will pass the halfway mark and be racing toward the playoffs, where these players and more will get to test their mettle when it truly matters.