So far in his career, Jarrett Allen has become a cornerstone of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense, their interior anchor that turned them into one of the league’s elite defenses. Additionally, the big man’s major contribution to NBA Twitter is the terrific meme of him saying, “The lights were brighter than expected,” after their first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks two seasons ago. Looking back on the “bright lights” playoffs meme now, Jarrett Allen maintained good humor.
“When I look back on my career, I know I had my one shining moment,” Allen said in his appearance on “The Young Man and the Three” podcast, again captured in another Bleacher Report quote meme shared on their official Instagram.
Are the lights still too bright for the Cavaliers?
© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
When Jarrett Allen said the memed quote about the lights being too bright in the playoffs, the Cavaliers had just returned to the postseason for the first time since LeBron James signed with the Lakers.
Moreover, only star guard Donovan Mitchell had the playoff experience necessary to manufacture wins in the postseason, when the game slows down, defenses become tougher, and teams play more physically.
As expected, Allen and Mobley disappeared from that first-round series against the Knicks. Allen averaged only 9.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Mobley put up 14.2 points and 9.5 rebounds.
The physicality and experience of Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson proved too much for the young Cavs, making short work of them in five games.
However, the team regrouped, and in 2024, the Cavs won their first playoff series in the post-LeBron era by beating the Orlando Magic in a tough seven-game series.
They lost in five games to the Boston Celtics in the second round, but losing to the eventual champions should only teach them more lessons about how to play championship-level basketball throughout the postseason.
A different team?
This season, the Cavs are definitely a more dangerous team, having extended Jarrett Allen, Mitchell, and Mobley to long-term contracts and filled out the team with valuable role players like Caris LeVert.
So far, the Cavaliers’ historic 15-0 start has made waves around the league, though some still remain skeptical. For instance, Chandler Parsons believed the Cavs’ soft schedule played a part in their undefeated streak.
True enough, the Celtics handed the Cavs their first loss of the season, which may cast some doubt about their ability to beat the defending champions.
Despite the loss, though, the Celtics didn’t blow them out of the water. Instead, the Cavs rallied from 21 down to make things interesting for Boston, and they ended up relying on Jayson Tatum to pull out the win.
Perhaps this is the main gap separating the two teams. As of their last matchup, Tatum is the superior closer, though Mitchell has also proven his clutch-ness.
However, “Spida” may have to reach another gear to lead his team to a title, just like LeBron James did several times before him.
