With frontcourt sidekick Evan Mobley sidelined, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has pumped up his offensive production, notes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). He was challenged by coach J.B. Bickerstaff to make it happen.
“He knows everything that I can do,” Allen said. “He just wanted me to do it at a higher level.”
Allen is averaging 22.2 points, 15.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the last four games and has scored in double digits in each of the past eight games after doing so in just two of his first six contests in December.
“Jarrett’s one of those guys who just goes about his business that sometimes people forget how impactful and how good he is,” Bickerstaff said. “He doesn’t beat his chest, he doesn’t draw attention to himself, but we know how valuable he is to us, and I just wanted to make sure that he understood that if he wins his battle, we win the game. That’s the challenge for him.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Zach LaVine practiced once again with the Bulls’ G League team, the Windy City Bulls, on Tuesday with positive results, according to coach Billy Donovan (Twitter link via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago). It’s possible that LaVine will return to action with the NBA club as early as Friday but it’s too early to tell, Donovan added. LaVine, a potential major trade piece, hasn’t played since Nov. 28 due to a foot injury.
- With Bulls center Nikola Vucevic also out with an injury, 6’4” Terry Taylor has seen some time at center in Donovan’s small-ball lineups. Taylor says he doesn’t mind banging with much bigger opponents, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. ‘‘I’ve actually played it my whole life, so I’m kind of used to it,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘I’m used to people not being sure about me playing center just because of my size. But I’ve got the heart and the will to go out there and compete against anybody. They’re gonna be hunting me and trying to get me to foul and make mistakes and just trying to get me off my rocker.’’ Taylor’s $2MM contract will become fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster beyond January 7.
- The Pistons finally snapped their record breaking 28-game losing streak against the depleted Raptors on Saturday night. They followed that up with an embarrassing outing in Houston on Monday in which they allowed 47 points in the third quarter and lost by 23. Second-year guard Jaden Ivey was perplexed by the team’s effort, James Edwards III of The Athletic relays. “This is painful to go through. We’re in a season where we’re losing a ton of games, and it’s like … it comes down to pride at the end of the day,” he said. “The moment you step out there on the floor, ‘What can you do to help the team?’ both defensively and offensively. “In the third quarter, they were coming down and scoring. We need to wall up and chest the ball. It comes down to pride. We didn’t have that (Monday).”
No team wants LaVine with that massive contract.
He plays no defense and is a Sixth Man on a good team.
Also, he an injury away from being the next Ball.
The Bulls should trade DeRozan instead of LaVine. DeRozan is 34 years old and at the end of his contract. DeRozan would be far easier to trade than LaVine. Also, then there doesn’t have to be the conflict of who gets to take the shots on offense.
6’4 center. Omg I’m done with today’s product. Why do people even like the NBA anymore. So watered down. Weakest defense ever
Yet this guy comes here all the time …..
So what does that really saaaay ????
I’m surprised you responded to me. Honestly I do love basketball. Just disappointed what it is today. I know every player ever. Ever
Do you like 6’4 centers? I thought you have been watching this game for awhile now
20+ losses and no movement? No trades? What a weak GM. Ivey & Hayes with 2 firsts for Dejonte. Thompson twin for Miles Bridges. Send Joe Harris, Bagley and a pick for John Collins. Try to do something! All these top picks and draft capital only to disappoint those fans???
Detroit will sign Bridges in the off season to a max. Draymond Green is who trade for in Detroit. Show the young pups how to do it.
So meanwhile their fans are to be left disappointed??? Paper bag hats continue!
Detroit would be foolish to trade for Draymond at this point in time. Draymond will be 34 years old in March plus too many bad moments. Plus he has 3 more years guaranteed after this season $24.1 million, $25.9 million and $27.6 million.
Without Vucevic and Torrey Craig, the Bulls are way too short. Watched some of the game last night against the 76ers. The 76ers were bigger than the Bulls at most positions.
Same thing happened against the Knicks tonight. Bulls had no answer for Randle. Randle is a tough defensive assignment because he can take bigger defenders outside and smaller defenders inside. Hartenstein was very good also in his role.
Andre Drummond just set a record …….
please send him to Knicks. We know what do with him.
Precious, Flynn and two 2nds for Drummond and Carter