Where does Cavs center Jarrett Allen rank on our list of The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports?

The side you choose depends on when the Cavs crack your TV rotation. Only watch during the playoffs? Then you saw the Knicks bully Allen in 2023 and saw him miss most of last season’s playoff run due to cracked ribs. Appointment viewer? You recognize Allen’s role in steadying Cleveland’s 2024 regular season after a rocky start. Then you highlight Allen’s 17-point, 14-rebound-per-game production during the first four games of last postseason.

What about the next eight, though? What should we think about Mobley’s mini-leap that occurred after Allen got hurt in the playoffs? What could Mobley do without another non-shooting big man cramping his space?

We can – and fans have – argued in circles. New Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson tutored Allen for two-plus years in Brooklyn, but Cleveland hired Atkinson to maximize Mobley. Can he do both? Can Allen compliment Mobley on a title contender? Or will fans once again enter next offseason shuffling Allen through the ESPN Trade Machine?

Pour another drink. Find another Allen stat that fits your argument for or against him. Then prepare yourself for another season of Cleveland’s most overcomplicated basketball conversation.

Allen isn’t tough enough, but he played 75 straight games last season. He should be traded, but the Cavs just gave him a three-year extension. He might be hurting Mobley’s development, but he’s definitely protecting Mobley from a big man’s beating.

He should stay or he should go. And if you love Cleveland basketball, you should have a strong opinion.

The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports (so far):

• No. 40: Sherrone Moore, Michigan football coach
• No. 39: John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens coach
• No. 38: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher
• No. 37: Jameis Winston, Browns quarterback
• No. 36: Will Howard, Ohio State quarterback
• No. 35: Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
• No. 34: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers coach.
• No. 33: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback.
• No. 32: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end
• No. 31: Tom Hamilton, Guardians radio announcer.
• No. 30: Jim Donovan, former Browns radio voice.
• No. 29: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback.
• No. 28: Lamar Jackson, Ravens quarterback.
• No. 27: LeBron James, Lakers forward.
• No. 26: Denzel Ward, Browns cornerback
• No. 25 Josh Naylor, Guardians first baseman
• No. 24 Steven Kwan, Guardians outfielder
• No. 23 Emmanuel Clase, Guardians Closer