Tag: jarrett allen

Jarrett Allen discusses tenure with Nets under Kenny Atkinson

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen spoke with “The Old Man & The Three’ about his time with the Brooklyn Nets under Kenny Atkinson.

The Brooklyn Nets had an interesting aura around the franchise prior to the arrivals of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the summer of 2019. While the team was not particularly good before the superstars announced their intentions to sign with Brooklyn, the Nets had some good players that were willing to buy into the fun, hard-working culture that the organization was setting.

When Kenny Atkinson took over the head-coaching duties for Brooklyn heading into the 2016-17 campaign, the franchise was recovering from a 21-61 season that saw the team fire then-head coach Lionel Hollins and then-general manager Billy King. Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn’s first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, saw how the franchise changed from fringe playoff team to title contenders almost overnight.

In January of 2021, Allen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four-team deal that brought James Harden to the Nets and well, Nets fans know the story from there. Allen recently spoke to former NBA player JJ Redick along with Tommy Alter on “The Old Man & The Three” podcast about what the culture was like in Brooklyn during the Atkinson era and here’s some of what Allen had to say:

“Honestly, my second year there (in Brooklyn), we just had this vibe about us where we were just going out and playing, having fun. I mean, there’s this clip of us just shooting threes, everybody’s dancing on the sideline, we’re having the time of our lives. Were we the best team? No, but we were enjoying ourselves and playing hard and winning.”

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A skirmish between Ben Simmons and Jarrett Allen led to a stunning 21-0 run for the Cavs

Ben Simmons had quite a smile during this altercation.

The Nets hosted the Cavaliers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and tensions were high between Ben Simmons and Jarrett Allen.

Cleveland maintained a slight lead, 59-51, over Brooklyn at the end of the first half. But shortly after the second half started, just seconds into the third quarter, Simmons and Allen became tangled up.

The former No. 1 pick surprisingly shoved the Cleveland big man to the floor. Allen (who used to play for Brooklyn) quickly retaliated by charging at Simmons as his teammates, including Donovan Mitchell, attempted to hold him back.

This is not the first that Allen and Simmons have had beef in the middle of an NBA game.

The two players also saw tempers rise during a game last season as well.

The altercation this season led to both players receiving technical fouls.

But it was Allen who got the last laugh because Cleveland then went on a massive 21-0 run against Brooklyn. The eight-point lead before the skirmish was suddenly a blowout as the Cavs found themselves ahead, 80-51.

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Cleveland (34-16) currently has sole possession of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will host the Nets on March 10 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

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Victor Wembanyama praises Jarrett Allen after Spurs lose to Cavaliers

After the San Antonio Spurs’ tough loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, Victor Wembanyama showed Jarrett Allen some love.

Fresh off one of the best games of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs took on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Down Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have had to battle through injuries in an attempt to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference.

While Donovan Mitchell is the clear head of the snake in Cleveland, Jarrett Allen has been putting on a show. The one-time All-Star has made a case for a spot in the game this year (though the counting stats may not support that argument), and his performance on Sunday night was certainly that of an All-Star.

After the game, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama had some high praise for Allen, who led all scorers and rebounders in the game.

“[Allen] was a great threat and is a player that I respect,” Wembanyama said via ESPN. “He’s the type of player I like, and he’s already had a long career. He’s efficient and does the hard jobs.”

Allen finished the game with 29 points, 16 rebounds (five on the offensive glass), two assists, one steal, and one block while shooting an efficient 11-of-19 from the field.

As for Wembanyama, who remains on a minutes restriction, he ended the night with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and five blocks while shooting 6-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-5 from deep.

Cleveland’s win over the Spurs marked their third in a row, while San Antonio is now on a five-game skid. They remain in last place in the Western Conference standings.

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Jarrett Allen: We see the seeds being planted, so we’re gonna have something special here

As vital as Donovan Mitchell is for the Cavaliers’ success, Jarrett Allen is almost as crucial for the team. Now in his seventh year, the Texas native is hoping to help anchor the Cavaliers frontline to make a deep playoff run. After hosting 25 …

As vital as Donovan Mitchell is for the Cavaliers’ success, Jarrett Allen is almost as crucial for the team. Now in his seventh year, the Texas native is hoping to help anchor the Cavaliers frontline to make a deep playoff run.

After hosting 25 students at a recent home game, the 2022 All-Star talked with HoopsHype about his recent injury, the foundation of his team, his Thanksgiving event, and more.

Projected starting lineup for the Cavaliers with Max Strus after sign-and-trade with Heat

Max Strus has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Max Strus has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $63 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a sign-and-trade with the Heat, per ESPN.

Miami landed Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks in the three-team deal that involved the Spurs.

Strus is a 6-foot-5, 27-year-old wing who was an essential piece for the Miami Heat during their run to win the Eastern Conference in 2022-23. He started all 23 games that Miami played during the postseason.

The former undrafted free agent is a very smart pickup because Cleveland connected on the third-fewest 3-pointers per game (10.0) among all teams in the postseason, via NBA.com. Only four players in the league attempted more 3-pointers than Strus (135) during the playoffs.

Here is what the rotation will likely look like for Cleveland with Strus in the mix:

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Jalen Green delivers in matchup with Evan Mobley, Cavaliers, but Rockets lack help

With 30 points on elite efficiency, Jalen Green did his part in a battle with fellow second-year prospect Evan Mobley in Cleveland. The #Rockets supporting cast, however, was underwhelming.

Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets lost the war in Sunday’s 108-91 road loss (box score) to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the No. 2 pick from the 2021 NBA draft may have won a battle.

In a matchup with Evan Mobley, who was selected right after Green at No. 3 in the 2021 first round, Green was outstanding with 30 points and 4 assists on 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), including 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Mobley held his own with 19 points (66.7% FG), 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, but Houston’s 21-year-old certainly did enough to make his higher selection defensible.

Ultimately, as has been the case for the 2022-23 season as a whole, the difference in the result was largely based on the supporting cast for each second-year prospect. Big man Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers (48-28) with 24 points (72.7% FG) and 14 rebounds, while All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell added 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting (50%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).

Other than Green, it was a struggle for Houston (18-57), as is often been the case. Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. struggled in his return to Cleveland, scoring just 6 points on 3-of-12 shooting (25%). Alperen Sengun had 14 points (50% FG) and 8 rebounds.

Outside of Green’s five 3-pointers, the rest of the Rockets shot 1-of-14 (7.1%) from beyond the arc, combined.

Next up for Houston on its road trip against probable 2023 playoff teams is Monday’s game at New York. In what will be the team’s final back-to-back of the 2022-23 season, tipoff against the Knicks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central. Until then, here’s a look at highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction by Houston fans and media members after Sunday’s loss in Cleveland.

Jarrett Allen hilariously joked about Kevin Love just going to the corner store before his buyout

This response from Jarrett Allen was absolutely *hilarious.*

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen didn’t hold back his funny side when discussing the recent buyout of his former teammate Kevin Love.

After Love and the Cavs negotiated a buyout that cleared the way for Love to join the Miami Heat, Allen delivered an absolutely hilarious answer to just how aware he was of the situation as it was unfolding.

It seems that Allen joked that he facetiously heard Love was “going for milk and cigarettes,” and that “he just never came back.”

If there was such a thing as a perfect response to an interview question, we’re pretty sure this would be it.

Since Allen certainly won’t be standing by the door at the Cleveland facility waiting for Love to come back, you’d guess that the Cavs probably had some idea that Love’s time with the team was coming to a close.

However, we’re sure Love and Allen will miss playing with each other. Maybe Love will bring back a carton of milk when the two see each other again. Just not cigarettes, those are bad for you.

2023 NBA All-Star weekend is finally here and it’s the best celebration in sports

NBA All-Star weekend is here. Let the celebration begin

Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon

Howdy, folks. Welcome back to Layup Lines. It’s Sykes, once again, here to usher you into an amazing All-Star weekend coming up.

This weekend is going to be so fun y’all. We’re going to get so much from the league. There’s a reason everyone always looks forward to All-Star weekend during the NBA season.

Yes, obviously, it’s a big landmark within the season itself. Teams get to gear up for that final stretch of ball before the playoffs, which is obviously another exciting moment for everyone.

But All-Star weekend is bigger than that. It’s not only an exhibition between players, but it’s a celebration of the sport on its biggest stage.

The NBA always finds a way to place its best talent on the big stage, too. This year, for example, Scoot Henderson is showcasing his skill against NBA players in the Rising Stars challenge on Friday.

A G-League player taking part in All-Star weekend was something previously unheard of. But it makes so much sense. Where other leagues might be afraid to do something like that, the NBA embraces it. It’s always looking for ways to improve upon an already amazing All-Star format.

That includes adding the Elam ending a few seasons ago, too. Oh, and the hilarious draft that we’ll all get to watch before the game starts. And doing things like allowing Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade “legacy” spots on the All-Star team despite there being no precedent for that before.

The NBA turns All-Star weekend into a celebration better than any other league does it. The Pro Bowl can’t touch this. Only Major League Baseball’s All-Star weekend even comes close.

Obviously, the Super Bowl is a bigger event than the NBA All-Star game and has more eyes. But that game is about two teams. The NBA’s star-studded exhibition is about the entire sport. It brings the game’s best together and celebrates them all in so many cool ways. And that’s something to be appreciated.

So, if only for this weekend, set the fandom for your favorite team aside, squash the beef you have with your most hated player and just celebrate.

Because that’s what this weekend is about. The stars are out, family.

The Tip-Off

Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Before this week, I’d never seen anyone celebrate being called for a 3-second violation on either end. But Jarrett Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers did — and he explained why.

That’s just how the team defends, my colleague Bryan Kalbrosky writes. They man the paint for as long as possible until something is called.

It’s like a holding call in the NFL — the refs can’t call it every time. Right?

“The arena is silent and yet you can hear Allen thunderously roar as he is called for a penalty. What is the context that Van Gundy and non-Cleveland fans were missing?

Well, as you could have guessed, Allen didn’t just go rogue and decide he was happy that Philadelphia was given a free trip to the line. This is actually a defensive philosophy pushed by Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff.

Bickerstaff said “we don’t care” if the call is made because he “begged” his bigs to protect the paint (via Cleveland.com)”

This is wild, y’all.

Shootaround

— Here are our NBA power rankings headed into the All-Star break

— We also have reverse power rankings too. Go winless for Wembanyama.

— This NBA weird app feature got turned into a hilarious meme

— Here are some betting futures for NBA awards that you absolutely need to check out.

 

How to bet Celtics-Hawks and Bucks-Cavs, as the East’s top 4 teams duke it out

Injuries will be a factor.

The Association has some good action on the slate Wednesday, with the Eastern Conference’s top four teams all playing each other among eight other games on the schedule.

The top-seeded Boston Celtics visit the No. 3 Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET to tip-off ESPN’s doubleheader. And at 8 ET, the second-seeded Milwaukee Bucks host the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers.

With these teams all separated by just 2.5 games, the margins between them are small. Injuries will play a big part in how the games go with players like Malcolm Brogdon and Jrue Holiday questionable and Jarrett Allen ruled out.

These are my best bets from each game.

(Odds from BetMGM)

Projected starting lineup for Cavaliers with Donovan Mitchell makes them Eastern Conference favorites

This team is going to be a problem.

The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off the biggest shocker of the offseason by trading for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

After exceeding expectations last season, the Cavs accelerated their rebuild with this trade. They have added three-time All-Star Mitchell to a core that already included two All-Stars in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen — as well as Evan Mobley, who may be the most valuable player on the entire roster.

Cleveland made the play-in tournament last season, but they are heading into the upcoming campaign as a force to be reckoned with. In addition to the stellar defense in their frontcourt with Mobley and Allen, they now have one of the best backcourts in the league with Mitchell and Garland. All four are currently 25 years old or younger.

Here is their projected starting lineup now that they have made this trade: