Cleveland Cavaliers · 7 notes
Jarrett Allen is paired with Donovan Mitchell again in Cleveland, recalling being told they had "the number 1 pick and roll in the NBA." He called Evan Mobley and James Harden "an incredible pairing": Harden driving and lobbing to Mobley, or Mobley handling off Harden's screen.
Cleveland has reshuffled its guard-big pairings in preseason: James Harden now plays with Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell with Jarrett Allen. Mitchell said coach Kenny Atkinson and the players agreed it together. "I think it allows for James and Ev to grow a connection."
Peyton Watson started next to Jarrett Allen in a game for the first time. "It felt good," Allen said at Cleveland's practice. "I felt like he adjusted very well." He said Watson's defensive switching, 3-point shooting and athleticism will be huge for the starters.
Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell are "kind of the backup point guards for each other," Kenny Atkinson said, so the Cavaliers' backup spot "doesn't necessarily have to be a point guard." How to split them with James Harden and Jarrett Allen: "we haven't decided yet."
Jarrett Allen at Cavaliers practice: Khalifa Diop's foot injury is "holding him back a little bit," but "he wants more." Allen says added wing size lets Cleveland switch more rather than "funnel everything to the bigs like we have in the past."
Jarrett Allen on rumours linking him to the Lakers: where he plays isn't his choice. "I hear the noise... I understand it, but I don't let it impact my life on and off the court." He said Donovan Mitchell's extension shows he wants "a team that trusts him," not more money.
Sam Merrill at Cavaliers practice: Peyton Watson on the wing with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is "a lot of length and something we haven't totally had," which may let Cleveland pressure less yet still force turnovers. He also backed more playmaking from Allen and Mobley.