Jarrett Allen Tried to Channel His Inner LeBron 😂

Every NBA fan knows that LeBron James is a once-in-a-generation player. The man is an all-around force, capable of playing nearly every position on the court, dishing out pinpoint passes, finishing at the rim with authority, and leading his team with an unparalleled basketball IQ. So, when Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen tried to channel his inner LeBron during a recent game, it was bound to be both entertaining and, well, a little questionable.

Allen is best known for his defense, rim protection, and efficient scoring in the paint. He’s not exactly the guy you expect to see running the fast break, crossing defenders, or throwing flashy no-look passes. But every big man has dreams of being a point guard for at least one play, right? That seemed to be Allen’s mindset when he attempted a LeBron-esque play, much to the amusement of NBA fans and social media.

The Attempt: A Hilarious Play Unfolds

It all happened during a fast break when Allen found himself leading the charge up the court—a rare sight for the 6’11” center. With teammates sprinting alongside him and defenders scrambling to get back, Allen decided this was his moment. Instead of making the simple pass or slowing things down to reset the offense, he opted for something bolder: a full-court, one-handed bullet pass… that went straight into the stands.

The moment immediately became a meme. The Cavaliers’ bench had mixed reactions, with some players looking shocked, others laughing, and a few simply shaking their heads. Fans at the arena had a similar response, erupting in laughter as Allen jogged back down the court with an embarrassed grin on his face.

Social media had a field day with the clip. Fans quickly dubbed it “Jarrett Allen’s LeBron Impression Gone Wrong” and posted side-by-side comparisons of Allen’s pass and LeBron’s signature full-court dimes. The difference was painfully obvious, but the effort was appreciated.

The Internet Reacts

NBA Twitter wasted no time in roasting Allen. One user posted, “LeBron would’ve thrown that pass into a teammate’s hands perfectly in stride. Jarrett Allen threw it into the 12th row 😂.” Another fan joked, “This is what happens when a MyCareer center gets a playmaking badge and thinks he’s Magic Johnson.” Even Cavs fans couldn’t help but laugh, with one tweeting, “We love you, Jarrett, but please… never again.”

Even the Cavaliers’ official social media account joined in on the fun, posting a clip of the pass with the caption, “At least he believed in himself 😅.” Allen, being the good sport that he is, laughed off the play in a postgame interview. “I saw the lane, I saw the opportunity, and… yeah, it didn’t quite work out the way I pictured it in my head,” he admitted with a chuckle. “I’ll leave those plays to LeBron.”

Learning from the Best

While Allen’s attempt at playmaking may not have been successful, it’s always fun to see players step out of their comfort zones. He’s not the first big man to try and emulate LeBron, and he certainly won’t be the last. Even star centers like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić have had their fair share of failed fancy passes and dribble moves.

That being said, Allen’s real strength lies in his dominant presence near the basket. He may not be a point-forward like LeBron, but he’s an invaluable piece for the Cavaliers. With his elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and efficient finishing, Cleveland is lucky to have him anchoring their defense.

Final Thoughts

Jarrett Allen’s attempt at channeling his inner LeBron may not have been successful, but it gave us one of the funniest moments of the season. The NBA is filled with elite playmakers, and while Allen probably won’t be joining their ranks anytime soon, his effort was commendable—and absolutely hilarious.

At the end of the day, it’s moments like these that make basketball so enjoyable. Whether it’s a breathtaking highlight reel dunk, an incredible game-winning shot, or a goofy failed play, the NBA always finds a way to entertain. So, while we may never see Allen attempt another full-court dime again, we’ll always have this moment to look back on and laugh.

Next time, maybe he should just throw it up for a lob instead. 😂