Jarrett Allen did plenty Wednesday night to justify a steady stream of touches. He swatted two dunk attempts that changed the game, knocked down a 12-foot jumper and finished a pivot sequence with a step-through layup over Anthony Davis. And still, he drifted to the margins on offense.
That kind of imbalance is becoming a theme around the Cavaliers, and it’s the sort of thing that can quietly pile up if it sticks. Cleveland.com columnist Jimmy Watkins took that up on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast while breaking down the Cavs’ 121-111 comeback win over Washington, and he didn’t hide his irritation with how the bigs are being used.
“Jarrett Allen continues to be the definition of an unsung hero for this team,” Watkins said. “What the Cavs continue to ask Jarrett Allen to do, and it’s very difficult, generate that type of energy and do the unsung hero stuff without any rewards.
Because for every incredible block that Jarrett Allen has, you also see a corresponding opportunity for him to seal his man. And he has his man sealed and he’s got the hand up and basically with his body language begging for the ball and he doesn’t get it.”
Watkins wasn’t calling for Allen to become a featured scorer. His point was simpler: if Cleveland keeps overlooking the player doing the dirty work, there’s a cost to that.
“Even if giving him the ball once or twice more results in something ugly. Okay?
Who cares if that’s the cost? And I believe this in my soul, my basketball soul.
That is the cost of getting hair on fire JA for a little bit longer,” Watkins said.
Evan Mobley got pulled into the same conversation. Watkins pointed out that Mobley, an All-NBA guy, went 5 of 6 from 3 and still finished with only 12 shots.
“How many other dudes with Evan Mobley’s pedigree and his contract, All-NBA guy goes 5 of 6 from 3 and only gets 12 shots. Not many,” Watkins added.
Kenny Atkinson addressed the issue after the game, and Watkins said the coach made it clear the guards need to be more deliberate - intentional, in Atkinson’s wording - about finding Mobley when the pass is there.
On the podcast, Ethan Sands framed it with a little more bite.
“You know who loves throwing half court lobs?” podcast host Ethan Sands said.
“Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. You know who didn’t do it tonight in multiple different occasions where they had the opportunity?
James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.”
The concerns weren’t limited to the offensive end. Watkins also zeroed in on James Harden’s defensive focus in the first half, saying there were too many possessions where he checked out or got caught flat-footed.
“There’s just so many moments where James Harden snoozing or guys are leaking out. They’re not running hard enough in transition,” Watkins said. “Simple stuff that I’m telling you it didn’t happen tonight, but it will bite you in the butt.”
He also described the one-on-one defense in blunt terms.
“Every time an accomplished driver gets James Harden one on one, it’s one crossover. He reaches in.
If he doesn’t get the ball, his job is done. That’s it.”
Watkins did note the time of year matters. Harden has a history of easing into form and peaking later in the season. But the Cavs’ issues are familiar enough, and the Eastern Conference is crowded enough, that pushing them off until April sounds risky.
A win over the Wizards is a win over the Wizards. The teams that will really expose Cleveland’s habits are still on the way.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Keep Showing Why Early Deficits May Not Matter
Cleveland kept leaning on the same formula that has already carried it through the first week of the season: survive the rough patches, then take over when the game starts to tighten. The Cavaliers rallied from behind to beat the Wizards 121-111, extending their winning streak to three and getting to a 3-1 start, even after a shaky defensive opening half left them chasing the game.
Evan Mobley again gave Cleveland a steady presence inside and on the perimeter, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while newcomer Peyton Watson added 22 points in a useful early-season spark. The bigger takeaway for the Cavaliers is that their early deficits have not become panic points, because once the second half arrives, the defensive edge and pace seem to follow. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Keep Finding A Way And One Breakout Stood Out Again
The Cavaliers kept the good run going with a third straight win, and the latest one again had the feel of a team getting contributions from all over the floor. Evan Mobley was at the center of it, giving Cleveland a big night inside and out while Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen each supplied their own kind of support on both ends.
Mobleys growing comfort as a scoring threat has become one of the more encouraging signs in this stretch, especially when the Cavs need someone to steady things offensively without leaning on the same script every night. Peyton Watson also gave the game an early boost, and his scoring surge helped set the tone before Cleveland settled into the kind of balanced performance that has started to make its way into the teams recent wins. [Read more 🡒]
Evan Mobley Just Gave Cavs Fans A New Reason To Dream
Evan Mobley gave the Cavaliers plenty to feel good about in Fridays 121-111 comeback win over Washington, the kind of performance that can shift the mood around a team in a hurry. Cleveland trailed by double digits at halftime but found its footing after the break, riding a sharper collective effort and a big night from Mobley to make it three straight victories.
Mobley finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds while stretching the floor in a way Cavaliers fans have been waiting to see more often. The second half also brought timely help from Mario Hezonja and Meleek Thomas as Cleveland pulled even by the end of the third quarter and then closed it out late, leaving the bigger question hanging over what this version of the Cavs might look like once this kind of edge becomes the norm. [Read more 🡒]