Charles Barkley (Image Credits: Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers performed well during the 2023-24 NBA regular season and earned a spot in the playoffs. They defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round but were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals. As the new NBA season began, former NBA player Charles Barkley offered some valuable advice to the Cavaliers.

Barkley was featured on the first episode of The Jim Jackson Show podcast. During the episode, he discussed how Jarrett Allen is the player the Cavaliers need to elevate to achieve greater success this season. The NBA legend expressed his disappointment with Allen but also praised his true potential.

“The one guy that drives me crazy, and I’ve been waiting on him, I’ve been bragging about this dude for five years and he disappoints me every year – Jarrett Allen. I thought he’d be a 20-10 guy and an All-Star by now. He should be the second option on that team, behind, he’s the second-best player on that team. People automatically go to (Evan) Mobley,” Barkley said.

Barkley’s analysis provided valuable perspective on the team dynamics and the pivotal role of supporting players in reaching greater success.

Charles Barkley Believes That Allen Can Dominate League’s Big Players

In the 2023-24 season, Allen averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 77 games. While Barkley expressed dissatisfaction with Allen’s performance, he also believes that the Cavaliers Center has the potential to dominate against more prominent players in the league. During the discussion, Barkley, who recently opened up on Tyreek Hill’s arrest, mentioned that Allen is very talented and can lead the team to tremendous success.

“When I watch them play, when Jarrett Allen plays, that’s when they play their best.’ It should be Donvan and Jarrett Allen, one and two, and then everybody else gets to eat after that. I said, ‘Man, this guy got so much talent, he got a great body, like he can play against big guys,” Barkley added.

The Cavaliers will play their first preseason game of the 2024-25 NBA season against the Chicago Bulls. It would be exciting if the team could heed Barkley’s advice to utilize Allen during the season.