The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had an ideal start to the 2023-24 NBA season.
The organization has struggled to win games, so much so that they haven’t won back-to-back games throughout the 2023-24 NBA season.
It’s no surprise that the Cavaliers have struggled on the defensive end of the floor.
But what’s the primary reason behind the team’s lack of defensive edge?
Well, NBA analyst Brian Windhorst believes Jarrett Allen’s struggles contributed a lot to the Cavaliers’ underwhelming defense this season, as revealed via ESPN Cleveland on YouTube.
“Jarrett Allen, who is their most important defensive player is not [himself],” Windhorst said.
Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the best defensive rating in the NBA with 109.9 DRTG.
However, this season, the Cavaliers rank 16/30 with a DRTG of 112.3.
It’s obvious that the Cavaliers have fallen off quite a few spots on the list.
Due to the team’s poor defense, the offense is suffering as well.
After all, a great defense usually leads to exceptional offensive plays on the court.
As Windhorst mentioned in the above-attached video, Jarrett Allen’s struggles have played a crucial part in it.
The veteran big man is averaging just 11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Cavaliers.
Moreover, he has a DRTG of 112 as compared to 108 and 106 in the last two seasons, respectively.
Considering the fact that Allen is the defensive glue of the team, it’s only obvious that the franchise cannot play elite defense without their leader.
Can Jarrett Allen improve his defense and help the Cleveland Cavaliers finish the season as one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference?
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