Who said four games are enough to define a season? They are definitely not. But they can shift perceptions. Since acquiring James Harden at the deadline, the soul of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been rejuvenated. Their offense has sharpened, their pace has improved, and, perhaps most noticeable, their pick-and-roll has become great.
James Harden Highlights Jarrett Allen’s Growth in Cavaliers Rout
Thursday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets showed us just that. In a 112-84 rout, the Cavaliers managed to become 4-0 in the Harden era. The former MVP finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. But it was what he said afterward that stood out even more.
Following the win, James Harden offered a surprisingly candid assessment of center Jarrett Allen, who is set to make $90,720,000. “I can say, he’s better than I thought he was, in the sense of he’s able to catch the ball and finish around the rim with both hands,” Harden said. “He has so much touch around the rim. I think that’s one of the most underrated parts of his game.”
Allen, who signed a three-year, $90,720,000 veteran extension that runs from 2026 to 29, carries an average annual value of $30,240,000. His cap hit for the 2025-26 season sits at $20 million. For years, questions lingered about his fit next to Evan Mobley and whether the Cavaliers’ two-big lineup could truly thrive in high-leverage situations.
Right now, those doubts feel distant. Against Brooklyn, Allen posted another double-double, thriving as the primary beneficiary of the Cavaliers’ heavy pick-and-roll diet. The Cavaliers have leaned aggressively into Harden’s strengths. He’s already trapping coverages, pocketing passes, lobbing, and calculating reads that punish indecision.
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Nets head coach Jordi Fernández noted pregame that elite pick-and-roll guards “destroy every coverage.” Harden did exactly that. When Brooklyn blitzed him, he calmly accepted the double and delivered passes in stride, which often led Allen like a quarterback hitting a receiver in space.
The results speak loudly. Allen is converting 77% of his restricted-area attempts this season (87th percentile) and an eye-popping 82% since the new year (95th percentile). The vertical spacing is obvious. What’s changed is the rhythm. He’s catching the ball on time, on target, and in scoring position before defenses can recover.
It’s a partnership that already looks natural. Cavs HC Kenny Atkinson has described this stretch as an “observation period,” blending his techniques and principles with a Harden-led pick-and-roll approach. The Cavaliers won’t fully revert to the stagnant system of past seasons, but there’s no denying the current identity. Truly, Harden is a match when it comes to pick-and-rolls.
Lineups featuring Harden at point with Allen at center are producing at an elite rate, posting a 120.7 offensive rating (88th percentile) and an even stronger 108.9 half-court rating (98th percentile). The chemistry has been immediate, echoing Harden’s previous partnerships with rim-running bigs throughout his career.
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Allen’s aggression has ticked up as well. Teammates have noted he’s hunting mismatches and sealing early, making himself available before the defense sets. Harden’s precision and Allen’s force create a blend that has made the Cavaliers look sharper on both ends. The team even recorded its best single-game defensive rating of the season in the blowout win.
It’s still early. A tougher stretch awaits with contenders looming on the schedule. But through four games, the impact of Jarrett Allen and James Harden coming together is unmistakable.
