Cavs are projected to have 2 All-Stars for Cleveland-based All-Star Game
By Chad Porto
![MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Darius Garland #10 and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on December 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Darius Garland #10 and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on December 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5b2747e57274db8b7c83c193c012d4e99904750ecf3f22ca1dee825bc7d38191.jpg)
The Cavs may have two players at the All-Star Game in Cleveland this season.
Let’s talk about the All-Star Game because the Cavs are on the rebound, pun intended. The NBA power rankings have them as the top team in the East, and when you realize five of their losses came when they were missing a bulk of their starters and key rotation players, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to think that the Cavs are the best team. Think about how they took the Nets to the limit without several key players. Behind guys like Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, a surging Kevin Love, and a dynamo like Ricky Rubio, this team is hard to beat.
This team is really in sync and it shows. Sure, you can argue that the Nets have a better #1-#3 on their roster but they have yet to prove they can play together. The Cavs can play together and play together well. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the Cavs may have two players at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland.
According to the RPR MVP PRedictor from NBA Math, the Cavaliers are going to be represented by Garland and Allen. Garland is averaging 19 points and seven assists per game, while Allen is a walking double-double at 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. This is just a projection, of course, and that could always change.
All-Stars based on our RPR MVP Predictor:
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) December 16, 2021
East Starters:
G: Trae Young
G: James Harden
F: Giannis Antetokounmnpo
F: Kevin Durant
F: Jarrett Allen
Reserves:
G: Zach LaVine
G: Darius Garland
F: DeMar DeRozan
F: Jimmy Butler
F: Jayson Tatum
WC: Domantas Sabonis
WC: Joel Embiid pic.twitter.com/Pi3WnGexfB
Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen may not be the only Cavs going to the All-Star Game.
The All-Star Game is mostly about popularity and easy stats; your points per game, rebounds, etc. It doesn’t factor much in the advanced metrics much, that’s usually what the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams consider. With everything being even, Allen and Garland aren’t the only two who should be up for consideration; as Evan Mobley has proven to be a hugely impactful player.
While some may not agree, The Cavs can win without Mobley, they’ve proven it before. It is, however, easier for them to win when he’s in the lineup. He changes the flow of the game and his ability to close in on lanes from the elbow is uniquely useful. It allows the Cavs to rotate both Allen and him out of the paint and avoid incurring any three-second violations.
Mobley should be a dark horse contender for the All-Star Game, even if he doesn’t end up going.
Next. The Cavs need to avoid trades for Russell Westbrook or Cam Reddish. dark