After Cleveland Cavs center Jarrett Allen’s dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans went viral this week, the timing for a recent interview couldn’t have been better for the seven-footer. Allen joined The Young Man and The Three podcast, talking about an array of topics, including what Jarett enjoys doing in his spare time, his team’s 15-0 start to the regular season, and his love for the city of Cleveland.
Allen went as far as to say that despite the Cavs’ historic start to the regular season, the fans in Clevland would still attend RocketHouse Fieldhouse games due to the city’s love and appreciation for its basketball team.
“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. There’s something special about certain Midwest sports cities. They’re just so prideful about their teams. Cleveland has that energy — people are all in.”
After losing to the champion Boston Celtics 120-117, snapping the Cavs’ undefeated streak at 15, Cleveland returned to its winning ways in a 128-100 blowout against the Pelicans. While All-Star Donovan Mitchell was limited to ten points on 4-for-10 attempts, Ty Jerome scored a team-high 29 points that led six Cavs who scored in double figures. Back-up Georges Niang led the second unit with 20 points.
Jarrett Allen (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Jaylon Tyson (16 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded a 16-point double-double, and JT Thor finished with 12 points, two steals, and one block in 13 minutes.
Cavs’ Jarrett Allen goes viral after poster dunk vs. Pelicans
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs center Jarrett Allen talked about 2024’s playoff series against the Knicks and his surprising take on the bright lights of New York’s Madison Square Garden. However, as the attention has shifted to the Cavs’ improbably start, Allen threw a memorable poster dunk against the Pelicans that will live in Cleveland highlight reels for the rest of the regular season.
Allen, who received the ball in transition against Pelicans small forward Jamal Cain in drop coverage, made him pay with a memorable slam.
Despite seeing their epic win streak end, Allen and the Cavs (16-1) remain atop the Eastern Conference. They’re leading the champion Celtics (12-3) by three games with the best record in the NBA.
