CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cavs center Jarrett Allen should stomp into coach Kenny Atkinson’s office tomorrow morning and knock something over. Seriously, throw a tantrum. No one would blame him.
Did you see what Atkinson did to his former All-Star on Wednesday night?
Allen watched the final 4:37 of Cleveland’s 112-107 win against the Heat from the bench. Not the first time, either. Fourth straight games now, Atkinson has played forward De’Andre Hunter over Allen in the Cavs' closing lineup. The franchise commissioned a “Four The Land” billboard across the street from Rocket Arena, but only three of its faces are finishing games every night.
And this awkward truth could cause unrest in any locker room across the league ... besides Allen’s.
“It’s not easy,” Cavs forward Max Strus said. “He has every right to be mad, to be frustrated. But like I’ve said several times, he’s the best human being in this locker room and wants nothing but the best for everybody else in here and for the team. JA’s the best human ever. We’re lucky to have him.”
Add sacrifice to your list of reasons to love the ‘fro. Because Allen is giving up pride and playing time so Atkinson can procure the best lineups possible during crunch time.
Namely, the big man has played less than 10 total fourth-quarter minutes over his last four games, which includes zero minutes during Cleveland’s win over the Celtics on Friday, one second against the Blazers two days later and, according to coaches and teammates, no complaints from the player in question.
Can’t be easy. But Cleveland chose the hard road when it traded locker-room favorites Georges Niang and Caris LeVert (plus draft capital) for Hunter. And one bumpy road often leads to another.
The Cavs rebuilt their winning tradition on elite defense made possible by two — count ‘em, two — excellent rim protectors. Without Allen and Evan Mobley, no part of this dream season would be possible in Cleveland. And Allen got here first back in 2020-21, before all but two of their current teammates (Darius Garland, Dean Wade) populated the roster. So he harbors as much stake in this title pursuit as anyone.
But Hunter’s arrival last month signaled two evolving beliefs. First, Cleveland deemed itself ready to push all in for a championship. Second, the Cavs saw a hole in their two-big construction.
Don’t get me wrong: They still believe in their twin towers. But against the Boston Celtics, space is precious on offense. You need wing defense to succeed. And Hunter brings more of both than Allen ever could.
Even Wednesday night against short-handed Miami, the Cavs preferred Hunter’s skillset. Atkinson debated playing Allen more late to stiffen Cleveland’s rim protection. But Miami’s zone defense was killing the Cavs' offensive rhythm. They needed somebody who could facilitate and/or shoot from the middle.
Hunter checked both boxes. Allen checked out.
“It’s hard, but he understands,” Atkinson said. “He’s so smart. They got four guards running out there, and he knows it’s probably not the ideal matchup. But these are the sacrifices we talk (about) if we want to get to the next level.
“...These are the choices. That’s what makes his team special. He doesn’t complain. Next game, he’ll be ready to go.”
Ready to go? Never a question. Allen has played all 62 games to start this season. He’s logged 21 double-doubles and fouled out zero times. He’s tallied the second-best field goal percentage in basketball.
But Allen’s most impressive work might come from the bench.
Plenty of players spout sacrificial lip service. But few understand what they’re saying.
Fewer shots? Slight pay cut? Try sitting out altogether at the peak of competition. Watch your teammates win or lose without you, then wave to your face on the building across the street.
Hard sell for most people. A lesser man would burst into Kenny Atkinson’s office tomorrow morning. But the best human ever boards the team plane the same way he sets screens and eats elbows.
With a shrug. No problem.
“That’s kind of what he does,” Mobley said. “He just goes out there and does the job and doesn’t complain about anything. He could not get to touch the ball for most of the game. He still goes out there and sets hard screens, gets the rebounds and does his job. So to have a guy like that, it’s great for the team.”