NBA: Way-too-early Eastern Conference All-Star predictions

12. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers

One of the easier ways to become an All-Star is to be a star on a team that has seen a big improvement from the previous season. People notice change, and when a team sees a significant positive step, their players tend to get rewarded.

The Cleveland Cavaliers went 22-50 last season (win % of 30.5%), but are 17-12 (58.6%) so far this year. That’s a significant jump and the Cavs deserve to be rewarded for it. Darius Garland has been very good for Cleveland, but Jarrett Allen has been the main difference-maker for the Cavaliers.

Allen is averaging 17.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG and 1.3 BPG on 71.4 FG%. He scores extremely efficiently on offense and is an anchor on defense. Allen is the 2nd best rim-protector in the league amongst players that have played at least 15 games and defend at least six shots per game.

All players have to play on both ends, and Allen’s production has led to success for Cleveland. He deserves to be recognised for it.