The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. One of the chief reasons for that is no other than their big man Jarrett Allen, who has been a dependable presence in the paint, especially at the rim, for the franchise. But despite his immense impact on defense since arriving to the Cavaliers in 2021, he’s yet to get an NBA All-Defensive Team nod.
Cavs’ Jarrett Allen is not bothered by the lack of All-Defensive Team honor on his resume
That’s not making him lose sleep, though.
“I know the recognition comes within the organization You know one day it’s gonna be recognized But as long as I’m doing it for my team as long as we’re winning games put numbers up good enough for me,” Allen said about the absence of the award on his resume (h/t SiriusXM NBA Radio).
“It doesn’t bother me too much. I hate to say it like this. At this point, I’m used to it. It’s been happening all my career. I just roll with it at this point. I know my worth as a big in this league. I know how good my defense can be, I just keep going.” the former Texas Longhorns star center added.
Allen has always been known for his defensive prowess since he entered the NBA in 2017 when he was taken off the board by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round (22nd overall) of that year’s NBA Draft. His combination of size, length, awareness, and timing have translated to tangible positive effects on the floor for the Nets and now with the Cavs, who acquired him from Brooklyn in 2021 via a circuitous four-team deal.
Through 61 games in the 2023-24 NBA season, Allen has averaged 10.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The Cavs’ reliance on him has also increased with Evan Mobley sidelined by a lower-body injury. Among Cleveland players with regular minutes, Allen is second on the team with a defensive rating of 109. (Mobley leads the Cavs in that department with a 107 defensive rating).
Apart from his defense, Allen hs also a dependable asset on the other side of the court, as he is averaging 16.2 points on an efficient 62.6 percent shooting from the floor.