The subject of discussion within the Cleveland Cavaliers as of late has been about who wasn’t present. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have been nursing injuries. De’Andre Hunter was recently traded to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, both of whom will join Cleveland later this week. 

However, Jarrett Allen had to remind everyone that all is well with the Cavs at the moment. 

Allen was a menace on both ends of the floor, scoring in the paint despite all the defensive pressure on him with the absence of Mobley, setting solid screens, and controlling the paint with his rebounding and blocked shots. It was a career night for the 2022 NBA All-Star because of his points (40) and the fact that his overall performance put him in a league of his own. 

Unlike other players, Allen has a firm understanding of what his strengths and weaknesses are. His offense almost never ventures beyond 15 feet and his defensive prowess beyond the numbers is what makes him a great asset for Cleveland. In fact, the former Texas Longhorn’s greatest asset in the last few seasons may be his reliability. 

Last season, Allen played in all 82 games for the Cavs and led the league in field goal percentage (70.6 percent). The durability was remarkable for a player that had last played in 80 games in his sophomore season, and the field goal percentage was even more exceptional considering how the paint is often packed against Cleveland. 

With Mobley out due to the tricky calf injury, much will be expected of Allen. Though he hasn’t averaged more than 16.5 points per game in his career, Allen will likely take on more of the offensive responsibilities in the paint, but the fact that he has Donovan Mitchell, an improving Jalon Tyson, and a bonafide shooter in Sam Merrill will only help in spreading the floor on most nights. On defense, there isn’t much to ask from Allen beyond being a menace on defense. 

Nevertheless, the Cavs are facing adversity once again. It was the case last year when Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley missed time, but it did not stop Cleveland from earning the best record in the Eastern Conference. This season, the Cavs are currently 7.5 games behind the East-leading Detroit Pistons, but they are in a good position to at least have homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason. 

However, postseason success has largely eluded the Cleveland Cavaliers as the last few postseasons have ended in disappointing exits. It remains to be seen if the Cavs will be able to write a different ending to their playoff story, but one thing is for certain: Jarrett Allen will be there controlling the paint, doing a little bit of everything to ensure Cleveland remains in the thick of things.