Jarrett Allen was properly excluded from All-Star Game

Last night the Eastern Conference All-Star Reserves were announced on TNT’s pregame show. As you can expect there were many takes flying around social media about the snubs and who was wrongfully selected (cough cough Tyler Herro).

Among the discourse was the praise and jubilation that the Cleveland Cavaliers had three of its players crowned as worthy All-Stars. Those three are Donovan Mitchell, who was named a starter a few weeks ago, and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who are now joining him.

Where is Jarrett Allen?

This was something I saw floated around by many Cavaliers faithful. While it would have been nice and a cherry on the Cavaliers’ historical season sundae, it frankly was not deserved. I know writing this on a Cavaliers fan blog is worthy of stripping myself of being a “true fan” and blasphemy to the highest degree. The cold hard truth is that Jarrett Allen did not do enough to warrant a spot reserved for one of the best twelve players in the Eastern Conference this season.

Where should we begin with the case against Allen? Let’s start with those who felt Allen was snubbed with the main argument: How could Jarrett Allen not make it when the Cavaliers have the best record in the league?

Well, even though yes, Jarrett Allen is one the best players on the best team in the Eastern Conference, he simply hasn’t performed consistently enough to earn a spot over other teams’ top option.

Remember back in 2015 when the Atlanta Hawks had four All-Stars? The Hawks were also the best team in the Eastern Conference at the time. Have you since thought, man, that Kyle Korver’s season was astounding, one that will be remembered for all time? No? 12 points a game doesn’t scream All-Star? Well, how does 13.8 points and 10 rebounds per game sound?

Kenny Atkinson was a member of the coaching staff of the Hawks, so he has familiarity with the situation. When asked if he thought Allen would make it, he responded: “Yes, just because of our record. … I thought that with our historic start right? I thought it could turn out that way. You know I am a little disappointed at that.”

Allen is no doubt integral to the success of the Cavaliers but to state that because of the team’s success, it’s only right to honor Allen is a bridge too far for me. Now, you could introduce him as more deserving than say Pascal Siakam or Tyler Herro, I would say yes. That, however, is more an issue with the other players being selected than Allen being excluded. Players like Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, and Tyreese Maxey come to mind as more deserving than Allen.

It cannot also be understated that Allen hasn’t been as consistent as the stats would necessarily show. There have been stretches where Allen has been invisible on the offensive end. Despite leading the league in effective field goal percentage with 70.3%, Allen has had to be removed from closing game lineups for the Cavaliers. If your team cannot close games with an All-Star, I feel that is a pretty big detractor from the credibility of one’s case.

Remember in 2021 when Jarrett Allen was an All-Star for the overperforming Cleveland Cavaliers? Do you also remember that he was an alternate? Allen posted 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game for the Eastern Conference leaders and was originally omitted from the All-Star team. Only when James Harden removed himself from the contest was Allen inserted into the mix.

Now, people are clamoring for Allen with worse stats to make an All-Star team when the Cavaliers are once again overperforming. His role is similar, the numbers are worse, and the level of impact is the same. Why is the case stronger for Allen now than it was four years ago?

Allen would have better counting stats if there weren’t so many mouths to feed on the Cavaliers. However, the All-Star game isn’t one of the hypotheticals where one can project stats if donning a different uniform or under different circumstances. It’s about looking at the stats and facts in front of you. While Allen could still make the All-Star game as an alternate, the cold hard truth is that coaches around the league agreed with me that Jarrett Allen did not play at an All-Star level this season.