Donovan Mitchell wants to quickly work on his “pick & roll” relationship with Jarrett Allen

Victorious against Atlanta last night, the Cavs were not at their full strength, with a major five featuring Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens last night. But their new “Big Three” is very present, with Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and the newest arrival, Donovan Mitchell.

Last year’s All-Stars, at home, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen have already developed a good working relationship, with the former connecting on screens for the latter taking advantage of it to make a play, for him or for his teammates (including his pivot to lobs).

But, with Donovan Mitchell, the afro pivot can now face a new launching pad.

“It’s going in the right direction, and it should be faster than Rudy’s [Gobert]because I was still a rookie when Rudy and I started”reported the former Jazz at Cleveland.com. “But we are first or second in the League among the best pick & roll duos. Six years in a row! Obviously JA and I are not there yet but I think it will come because I am better than when I started with Rudy. I’m not a rookie anymore, I understand more about spacing. And I know more about how to manage the interiors that put the screen. It will take a little time but JA is amazing at it. »

Rudy Gobert as a role model

At 2m06 and 110kg, Jarrett Allen is in lighter form than Rudy Gobert, but his wingspan is just as impressive, and his jumping quality is superior. One of the most effective screen machines in the NBA for the past six years, the Frenchman is an ideal role model for Jarrett Allen this year!

“I won’t say he’s good enough but I’ll take him if I can,” continued Donovan Mitchell. “We have to keep rehearsing our lines and keep pushing the line right now because I just arrived two or three weeks before training camp starts. I can’t start. Now I’m We are in time and we need to speed up the process. He sees things, so do I. He is receptive, so am I. »

On paper, this criminal association could do a lot of good for Cleveland’s offense, which stalled last year when Darius Garland was out or out at night. It remains to be seen if Donovan Mitchell will trust Jarrett Allen’s hands more than Rudy Gobert’s…

“Once it starts picking up speed, it’s almost unstoppable,” However, the pivot was taken in Cleveland. “If we can get him to attack at full speed, and if my screens help him do that, then that’s good. (…) We can have this chemistry. It’s like everything else, if you practice it enough, it will work. You have to do it and do it again in training. If we don’t discuss it with teammates, we won’t establish the level of trust and detail, and we’ll never reach the elite level. »

The Ultimate NBA Basketball Action

Author of his best career season last year, with 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 against the average, Jarrett Allen can still increase his production with his duo of backs that can put him in orbit. With Darius Garland in any case, the connection was made naturally.

“I arrived on the first day and from the first game, without even training there, he was looking for me with lobs. He was already looking for easy layups. It was the perfect combination. »

Denied the playoffs after their brutal elimination in the “play-in”, the Cavs are looking to pass the course this season with their third All-Star. The more options you have in the pick & roll, the more likely you are to go far in the playoffs, right?

“This is kind of the ultimate action in NBA basketball,” finish by JB Bickerstaff. “It’s the safety blanket, for the coaches and the players. It’s the action that guys can rely on to create an advantage. It decides if certain players can perform at the end of the season. We’ve seen it happens many times in the playoffs, when other guys are taken out of the rotation because they can’t defend the pick and roll. Look at how many teams build their rosters with tall, athletic Swiss army knife players who can switch screens and help solve problems caused by the pick & roll. This is what opens up most attacks. »