Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been shining ever since James Harden joined the squad, but Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder threw a wrench into that narrative.
Allen managed only six field goal attempts, raising concerns among Cavs fans that his old habit of shying away from offensive aggression might be resurfacing.
The return of Evan Mobley to the lineup seems to have coincided with Allen’s offensive retreat. This is troubling for the Harden-led Cavs, who looked like they were on a path to the NBA Finals when Mobley was absent.
So, what’s really going on here? Is this an issue with Mobley, Allen, or something else entirely?
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon pointed to the Thunder’s defensive prowess, particularly through Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, as a key factor in stifling Allen’s production on Sunday.
Adding to the discussion, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reminded fans of Allen’s past tendency to become passive in high-pressure situations. However, he noted that prior to the OKC game, Allen was thriving thanks to Harden’s consistent lobs, which had boosted his performance significantly.
Perhaps Cavs fans can take solace in the idea that Sunday was just an anomaly against the league’s top defensive team. The Thunder’s ability to disrupt the Harden-Allen dynamic doesn’t necessarily spell doom for future matchups.
Nevertheless, this situation warrants attention moving forward, especially if Allen struggles to regain his form from the initial games with Harden.
The worst-case scenario for Cleveland would be discovering that Mobley’s presence disrupts Allen’s chemistry with Harden, potentially forcing GM Koby Altman into tough decisions regarding Allen during the next trade period.
Some fans have gone so far as to suggest trading Mobley instead of Allen following the Thunder loss, but that’s a complex issue for another time.
For now, Cleveland needs to rediscover the synergy between Harden and Allen, while integrating Mobley effectively.
Can they strike that balance, or does the Allen-Mobley pairing create too much congestion for Harden’s liking? The Thunder certainly have a way of making teams question their strategies.