Cavs’ Jarrett Allen hits critics with strong message amid frontcourt’s success

All offseason long, it was trendy in the NBA world to discuss whether or not it’d be best for the Cleveland Cavaliers to break up their frontcourt of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Allen and Mobley were most notably exposed during the 2023 NBA playoffs, with the Cavs being eliminated by the New York Knicks in the first round thanks to their defensive focus in packing the paint. But two seasons later, it definitely looks as though the Cavs have been proven correct in believing in that duo all along.

In fact, Allen went on ESPN to declare that the Cavs have indeed been defying the expectations of many by flourishing to the tune of a 31-4 record heading into their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in a battle of two conference leaders.

“I feel like every single year, [my partnership with Evan] gets better. When he was first drafted, there was a lot of questions on whether two big men could work in the modern NBA. But at this point, I think we proved everybody wrong,” Allen told Malika Andrews on ESPN’s NBA Today.

Indeed, Allen and Mobley have been forces to be reckoned with on their own right this season, and the latter’s improvement with the jumpshot has been imperative in greasing the wheels for the Cavs. Adversity is always part of the journey, but the way one responds to challenges is what matters. Mobley has expanded his offensive game in a huge way, and it’s been paying dividends for the Cavs.

Allen has also been fleshing out his game; he became a much better playmaker last season, and under head coach Kenny Atkinson, he is not just being utilized as a rim-runner. And this increased trust from the Cavs has only served to empower their frontcourt duo, much to the betterment of the team.

Jarrett Allen cements claim to being a keeper for the Cavs

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Jarrett Allen was at the center (pun intended) of plenty of trade rumors this past offseason, with the Cavs being mentioned as a potential destination for Brandon Ingram. This would then allow Evan Mobley to move up to the center position.

However, Allen has been exceptional for the Cavs at the heart of the paint, and his chemistry with Mobley is only getting better. Skilled size reigns supreme in the NBA, and even though Allen cannot space the floor with any reliability, the Cavs have proven this year that they could make this partnership work, doubts and all.