For the Cleveland Cavaliers, the way Game 6 ended flat out sucked. 

You’re up by a point with about 10 seconds left. It’s still an eternity of basketball and what once felt like a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals now felt like another early exit thanks to a very generous bounce. 

It’s the type of loss some teams never recover. But then there are those that bounce back and respond in a way that leaves no doubt that the loss was a mere blip. And Jarret Allen and the Cavs did just that. 

Allen was a steady presence as Cleveland rallied back in Game 7, grabbing rebounds, setting hard screens, and even taking matters into his own hands if need be. The 2022 NBA All-Star was never known to be flashy, but he has always found a way to get the job done. In the end, it was clear that Allen and the Cavs had the series in control and had already gotten into the heads of the Toronto Raptors. 

While Allen is not the longest-tenured player on Cleveland’s roster (that would be Dean Wade), he has seen quite a lot in his five years with the team. He’s played with All-Stars James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, young guns such as Evan Mobley and former Cav Darius Garland, and even wily veterans like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. The wins and losses have also come, with the highs and lows of earning the best record in the East and an early exit all coming within the span of a few years. Through it all, Allen has learned a lot from and has benefitted from the opportunities afforded to him. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been able to provide a steady presence that made life easier for his peers and his team on the court. 

Part of that is what made Cleveland set on going with a jumbo lineup at a time when teams would prefer to go smaller and more versatile. Allen and Mobley have shown that they too can matchup against their peers, shattering the notions that come with the big men who have not thrived in this era of basketball. Allen has been a walking double-double who can provide the two-way dominance that has shut down teams that require pacing and spacing. 

Now, Jarrett Allen has the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into the next round to face the top-seed Detroit Pistons. Perhaps, it worked out that the Pistons too just came from a seven-game battle themselves so the playing field is somewhat even. The matchup for Allen will be intriguing, as he will be facing off against Jalen Duren, who himself is out to prove that big men can still take over this postseason. Allen, though, won’t pay attention to the headlines as he lets his work do the talking. After all, those who work in silence tend to make the biggest impact on the court.