Cavs center Jarrett Allen, now in his tenth NBA season, has learned to make sacrifices for teammates like Evan Mobley
and Donovan Mitchell while adapting his body and defensive game to the modern NBA. In an exclusive interview with HoopsHype on behalf of American Tall, Allen opened up about what his role demands, what the team needs to reach the NBA Finals, the work ethic his father instilled, his love for the city of Cleveland and more.
After you were moved in the James Harden trade in January 2021, did his midseason trade to Cleveland feel ironic or like a full-circle moment?
Jarrett Allen: I do think it’s ironic. It’s like he’s following me. I don’t think the Brooklyn Nets would like that. [Laughs.]
How do you maximize yourself in your role while letting Evan Mobley, Donovan and Harden be themselves?
JA: I feel like if I’m the rock or the pillar, that makes everybody else’s job a lot easier, and people recognize when I do that.
As you and this Cavs team evolve, how do you adjust your role to maximize Evan Mobley’s growing responsibilities, Donovan Mitchell’s playmaking and James Harden’s strengths after his midseason arrival?
JA: For me, it’s about sacrifice in my role, and it’s just
who I am as a person. It wouldn’t be so easy to sacrifice if they weren’t good people. They’re not playing selfishly or trying to shine above anybody else. They share a common goal: for everybody to succeed and for the team to win. That makes my job of pushing everybody forward easier, especially when they have so much potential left to unlock. We’re going to figure out how to help Evan overcome whatever obstacle comes his way. My job is to help push him forward.
After breaking through the second round and reaching the conference finals, what must this team improve, especially in continuity and experience, to reach the Finals like the Thunder and Knicks, and how could adding Peyton and more athleticism help?
JA: Experience. If you look at those guys, they’ve been playing together a lot longer than we have. I saw a stat that Evan, Donovan, James and I only played a hundred or so minutes together last year. It’s insane to think about how little time that is across 82 games, or the 30 or so games James had been here. If we get that experience together, make sure everything runs smoothly and fill in all the cracks, I think that's it.
As you get older and work around injuries to build those shared reps, how have you adjusted your offseason strength work, rehab and daily maintenance to limit wear and tear and keep your legs fresh for the playoffs?
JA: Like you said, it’s about longevity for me. It’s crazy to think about, but this is year 10 for me. I’m not one of those young whippersnappers who can come into the game without stretching anymore. I have to take the summer to make sure every tendon in my knee, my ankles and every joint is in tip-top shape, instead of just making sure my muscles are as big as they can be. I have to start focusing on the little things to be able to play.
How did your father’s professional playing career influence you, and what advice or example from him still guides your training and success?
JA: My dad has always been someone who goes to work every day, rain or shine, no matter how hard it gets or how tired he is. He’s out the door by 6:30 and gets it done. You see that every day. Whether he’s sick or tired, he gets the job done. I feel like that carries over to my basketball career. Sometimes I don’t want to go out there and set a screen every time, take hits on my body or get bruises everywhere, but that’s part of the job I have to do for my team to succeed. I credit him for that. He’s been an excellent mentor for me.
As a traditional rim-running, rebounding and defensive big, how have you adapted mentally to increased spacing and better shooting when deciding whether to drop, switch or show?
JA: The crazy part is that it changes from night to night now. Two nights in a row, you might face a shooting big. Three nights in a row, you might play drop coverage against a rolling big. It depends on the game, and that’s how I’ve had to evolve. I’ve had to prepare for every type of big. That’s been my evolution throughout my 10 years in this league: understanding that every night won’t be the same for me. Every possession might not be the same. I have to think on my toes and adjust to any situation.
As one of the league’s premier defensive bigs, which opposing big’s style gives you the most trouble, and which big impresses you defensively more than people might expect?
JA: Somebody hard to guard? You can ask any big: Nikola Jokic. He’s won all those MVPs and stayed in the MVP conversation for a reason. It’s incredible how he manipulates the game, and he’s tough for me to guard because guarding him takes a whole team. Somebody who’s impressed me defensively, and I’m going to butcher his name, is Neemias Queta from Boston. His story is especially impressive, but so is his ability to drop, come up on the pick-and-pop, help on the backside of the rim and guard me. He’s so athletic. His vertical spacing is incredible, and he makes every lob more difficult.
What has surprised you most about your life off the court?
JA: I’d say the unexpected part is Cleveland itself, in the best way possible. When I got traded here, you never heard anything good about Cleveland. Let’s be honest. But I’ve been here five or six years now, and it’s a really nice city. It’s not New York. You don’t have high-rises or fancy restaurants on every block, but you have community. You have people who’ve lived here their whole lives and restaurant owners who work on their buildings every day. People love when you notice that. I’ll go to mom-and-pop shops, and they welcome me with open arms because they see that I care about things like that. The whole Cleveland community is so impressive. I never thought I’d experience it at this level.
What do you want your legacy in Cleveland to be when your career ends?
JA: I’d want my legacy to be someone who cared about the fans as much as I cared about basketball. I realize these people come to games every night when they don’t have to. They support me on and off the court. I want people to understand that I recognize that. I’ve tried to treat everybody as a normal person and show that I’m a normal Clevelander.
How special was it to earn your first All-Star selection and play in Cleveland?
JA: I think it lined up perfectly, getting to play in your team’s city, especially Cleveland, which usually doesn’t get opportunities like this. Cleveland definitely made a point of showing its hometown in a good light.
Beyond winning a championship, have you set a personal goal or benchmark for this season?
JA: No, not necessarily. My goal has always been to be the best I can in my role. Wherever that takes me, that takes me. If my team isn’t winning, I feel like I need to step up and do something better on my part. I’ve never really set specific goals. I just try to be the best I can.
Who was your GOAT growing up, and why?
JA: Tim Duncan. I didn’t watch a lot of basketball when I was younger, but whenever the Spurs played, or even the Mavs with Dirk Nowitzki, I’d watch. With Duncan especially, watching how the Spurs ran their offense through everybody was so impressive and fun.
If you could choose a current or all-time starting five, who would make your team?
JA: That’s an interesting question. I don’t want to give the easy answer about the best players. I’d pick a team based on who I’d enjoy playing with.
Who would make that all-time starting lineup?
JA: I’d put Ray Allen in there. Dean Wade, because that’s my boy. That’s my guy. Me at the five. Who else would be fun to play with? Chris Paul. I feel like every big, especially a rim-rolling big, would enjoy that. For a two guard, I’d go with Austin Carr.
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jarrett Allen Q&A: 'I'm not one of those young whippersnappers'
