3) He’s a Hustle Player
While his passion on the floor has occasionally boiled over into making bad decisions and dirty plays, Allen nevertheless embodies one of key tenets of Jazzdom. Specifically, he’s a hard-nosed, hustle player.
When you ask fans about “Jazz DNA,” those are the words that immediately come to mind. Grit and competitiveness have always played in Salt Lake City and that continues to be the case with the current iteration of the Jazz under Quin Snyder.
At Duke, Allen was a pest defensively. And he was often the first player on the floor to battle for a loose ball. That mindset will be key in his ability to show value on both ends of the court.
He may have some limitations defensively with his lateral quickness and he doesn’t possess elite size either, but that scrappy nature will allow Allen to make an impact on games regardless. It will also endear him to his teammates, many of whom also have a reputation for laying it all out on the hardwood.
Next: No. 2