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Cavs: Jarrett Allen is just getting started after joining LeBron James

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 03: Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers shots over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 03: Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers shots over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Jarrett Allen achieved something not done with the Cavs since LeBron James.

Ever since signing his new five-year deal, Cavs’ center Jarrett Allen has quickly proven his worth to the franchise. Currently the team’s leading shooter in field goal percentage from inside the three-point arc, Allen has put together an impressive start to his season averaging just shy of 15 points and almost 12 rebounds per game. All while shooting 68% from the floor and playing defense like an All-NBA player.

So not so shocking that Allen achieved the first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the Cavaliers since LeBron James did it in 2018.

Allen’s selection is a sign that the Cavs, currently 7-5 on the season, are in fact heading in the right direction after all, after years of starting and shifting their focus with regards to their post-James rebuild.

Jarrett Allen should be in consideration for DPOY

Allen should be in contention for a few things this year. Right now he’s arguably the Cavaliers’ best shot of getting an All-Star selection to the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which is taking place in Cleveland this year.

He’s also a candidate for a Defensive All-NBA team, alongside rookie Evan Mobley. More than that though, however, is Allen’s early-season claim to the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. An award that the Jazz’ Rudy Gobert has won three of the last four years. Allen is playing the best defense of his career in the Cavaliers system and has jumped to near Gobert levels of defensive efficiency according to the defensive RAPTOR scores.

Even if Allen doesn’t win the award, just being nominated for it would go a long way to help improve the Cavaliers’ image in their post-James quest for a playoff spot. The team is nearing their eighth win as this is written, and the team’s defense has really come together since Mobley paired with Allen, so it’s very possible, if not likely that Allen could in fact be a contender for the best defensive player in the NBA.

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