In an interview with The Young Man And The Three Podcast, Cleveland Cavs center Jarrett Allen expressed his love for the city he plays for. But the quotable center didn’t stop there. After the Cavs beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-100, improving after an incredible 15-0 start on the regular season, The Plain Dealer’s Chris Fedor asked an important question.
What’s the secret sauce? He was asked, per Locked on Cavs’ Danny Cunningham.
“Jarrett Allen, without thinking: “Bolognese,” Cunningham reported.
It is an intriguing way to metaphorically describe the Cavs’ historic start to the 2024-25 campaign, and without an explanation, it makes it even better. Allen’s double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) performance was one of six Cavs players to score in double figures, and Cleveland dominated New Orleans en route to a whopping 28-point victory.
Ty Jerome’s team-high 29 points, including seven threes, was an incredible display of offense as All-Star Donovan Mitchell seemingly took a backseat with ten points. Jaylon Tyson (16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) flirted with a triple-double, and Georges Niang (20 points) led the second unit. He connected on 6-of-12 from behind the 3-point arc as the Cavs shot at a 52.7% clip, including 18-of-42 from deep.
Jarrett Allen’s unique reasoning behind Cavs love
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cleveland Cavs center Jarrett Allen posterized Jamal Cain in his latest win, and it was one of the best dunks of the NBA’s 2024-25 campaign. However, Allen loves playing for Cleveland because whether you’re a team the league is constantly talking about or irrelevant with the league’s elite, Cavs fans show support either way.
“The thing about Cleveland is, and I’m not even trying to hype it up just because I live there, it’s genuinely such a nice city with great people who, like you said, truly love sports,” Allen said. “You could be 0-15, and people are still going to show up and sell out games for anybody. It’s just that kind of pride and loyalty.”
Despite the Cavs’ 120-117 loss to the champion Celtics, expectations remain high for Allen. With the guidance of the Cavs’ first-year head coach, Kenny Atkinson, and a healthy starting lineup with a reliable, productive bench, Allen told HoopsHype’s Michael Sotto he has eyes on the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.
“We want to make it to the Conference Finals. I think that’s the expectation for everybody around the league,” Allen said. “Put the floor there. I think we’re a good enough team that if we play consistent enough, our bench is deep enough, and we have our starting lineup that’s pretty good.”
The Cavs will host the Raptors on Sunday.
