Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen stole the spotlight Wednesday night, not just for his dominant play but for his humorous attempt at imitating LeBron James’ iconic tomahawk dunk.
In a game where the Cavaliers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a decisive 19-point victory over the New York Knicks, Allen’s fast-break slam became the talk of the night.
Jarrett Allen’s ‘LeBron dunk’ misses the mark
Late in the game, Allen found himself with a rare opportunity to showcase his athleticism in the open court.
The 6-foot-11 center took flight and attempted a one-handed tomahawk slam, reminiscent of James’ signature move.
While the dunk itself was impressive, Allen was quick to poke fun at himself after seeing the replay.
“In my mind, I wanted to do the LeBron tomahawk,” Allen admitted.
“But when I saw the replay, it wasn’t close.”
Even though his dunk didn’t quite match the grace and power of James’ legendary throwdowns, it was enough to catch the attention of the four-time NBA champion.
LeBron responded via Instagram, posting a graphic of Allen’s comments alongside a message of encouragement: “You got it next time J.A.,” followed by several laughing emojis.
James also added, “Love this dude!!!! GREAT ENERGY AND SPIRIT.”
Allen has become a fan favorite in Cleveland, not just for his rim protection and efficiency on offense but also for his lighthearted personality.
While the viral dunk attempt drew laughs, his overall performance against the Knicks was no joke.
Allen finished the night with 21 points on an incredibly efficient 10-of-11 shooting, continuing his hot streak from the field.
His recent play has been historic, he became the first Cavalier and just the ninth NBA player ever to record back-to-back games with at least 10 made field goals while shooting over 90%.
When asked about his remarkable efficiency, Allen kept his response humble.
“My shots are dunks and layups. It’s kind of easy when our guards pass me the ball under the rim, and I just have to dunk it,” he said.
“I think I’m playing pretty good.”
With the playoffs around the corner, Allen’s strong performances couldn’t come at a better time for the Cavaliers.
He’s eager to showcase his abilities in the postseason after past years were hampered by injuries.
“Every year, I’ve had something happen to me in the playoffs-whether it’s getting hurt or, yeah, always getting hurt,” Allen said.
“I’m ready to showcase what I have.”
His teammates recognize how crucial his presence will be in their pursuit of a championship.
“We can obviously win a championship, and I have no doubt that that’s who he will be,” said Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
“The way he has been playing, it’s just phenomenal. We all know he’s going to be there for us.”
Allen’s sense of humor and elite play have made him one of the most beloved players in Cleveland.
While he may not have nailed the LeBron dunk just yet, he’s proving that his impact on the court is no laughing matter.
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