The Cavs surprised the entire NBA by starting the 2023/24 season with a series of 15 victories to take the lead in the Eastern Conference. Asked about the reasons for this canon departure, Jarrett Allen discussed the impact of a Donovan Mitchell whom he considers in the Top 10 of the best current players, and this hard core of which he is part and which is the strength of this team.
A team now led by Kenny Atkinsonwhom he sees as the first candidate for the title of coach of the year. Jarrett Allen is well placed to judge the work of his coach, he who knew him during his debut in the NBA, in Brooklyn in 2017, and worked alongside him for three seasons before finding him in Cleveland.
“It’s evolved in a lot of ways. His way of approaching the match and the players has changed. I think taking a step back to be in an assistant role (at Golden State, from 2021 to 2024) helped him digest and learn from his previous experiences. He also learned under Steve Kerr and I think he was able to bring that back to Cleveland. he declaredbefore discussing his chances of obtaining the title of coach of the year. “In my opinion, yes it will. You don't come into a team to start 15-0 that easily. He’s definitely at the top of the ladder now.”
Revenge in sight against Boston?
What about next? Appetite comes with eating and after having devoured all its opponents, Cleveland inevitably has ambitions for the rest of the season and the playoffs. After finishing against the future champion in the conference semifinals last season, Jarrett Allen would like to see the Cavs take the next step. And with home advantage, all dreams would then become possible.
“I knew we were going to be good, but I didn't know it was going to be this good. Starting with 15 wins and 0 losses is surprising for everyone. It's really special. I also think we can do better”he estimated. “I think we want to make the conference finals. I think that's the expectation for everyone across the league. Put that bar there. We can be a pretty good team if we are consistent enough, our bench is deep enough and we keep this major five which is pretty good. If we continue to put it all together and with Kenny as head coach, I think we can go far.”
Like Donovan Mitchell, he too was extended this summer, to the tune of $91 million over three years. Jarrett Allen concluded by talking about his personal case and his areas of progress. He who has retained his “old-fashioned” pivot profile, focused on deterrence and domination near the circle, hopes to draw inspiration from Nikola Jokic…
“One of my goals is always to become a better passer, especially as a center. This is an underrated aspect of the post 5 role outside of Nikola Jokic, who is best at it. I want to be able to progress on this”he clarified. As for 3-point shots? “I know it's not my game, and it probably never will be, unlike Karl-Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, those type of players. My role is to perfect my “roller” side towards the circle, set screens and play this role to perfection. It's something that's close to my heart. I'm never going to shoot five 3-pointers per game, even if… Brook Lopez did it and ended up changing (laughs)! Statistically, this shouldn't happen. I want to find every detail in which I can progress in my current role, already.”
| Jarrett Allen | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BRK | 72 | 20 | 58.9 | 33.3 | 77.6 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 8.2 |
| 2018-19 | BRK | 80 | 26 | 59.0 | 13.3 | 70.9 | 2.4 | 6.0 | 8.4 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 10.9 |
| 2019-20 | BRK | 70 | 27 | 64.9 | 0.0 | 63.3 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 9.6 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 11.1 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 63 | 30 | 61.8 | 31.6 | 70.3 | 3.1 | 6.9 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 12.8 |
| 2020-21 * | KEY | 51 | 30 | 60.9 | 31.6 | 69.0 | 3.1 | 6.8 | 9.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 13.2 |
| 2020-21 * | BRK | 12 | 27 | 67.7 | 0.0 | 75.4 | 3.2 | 7.2 | 10.4 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 11.2 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 56 | 32 | 67.7 | 10.0 | 70.8 | 3.4 | 7.3 | 10.8 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 16.1 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 68 | 33 | 64.4 | 10.0 | 73.3 | 3.2 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 14.2 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 77 | 32 | 63.4 | 0.0 | 74.2 | 3.2 | 7.4 | 10.5 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 16.5 |
| 2024-25 | KEY | 17 | 30 | 68.5 | 0.0 | 76.2 | 2.3 | 8.6 | 10.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 14.4 |
| Total | 503 | 28 | 63.2 | 17.1 | 71.3 | 2.9 | 6.3 | 9.2 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 12.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
