Karen Mercedes Louda, age 81, passed away May 15, 2024, at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio. She was born November 7, 1943, in Jeanette, PA, to parents Jerome and Genevieve Scanlon (both deceased). She was married to Henry Louda Jr.(deceased) and they settled in Mentor, OH. Karen spent most of her storied teaching career with the Willoughby-Eastlake School District. Karen lived life to the fullest, making friends along the way on her many world-wide travels while keeping those at home close to her heart. She is survived by sister Janis Scanlon, sister-in-law Irene Louda, many nieces and nephews, along with those fortunate enough to call her friend. As per Karen’s wishes, there will be no services. Donations to a charity of your choice in Karen’s memory would be appreciated.

In a season where just three Cleveland Cavaliers played 70+ games, Jarrett Allen stepped up in a big way, especially with his presence on the defensive end of the floor.

The NBA All-Defensive Team is reserved for the most consistently effective defenders in the league. And with the recent switch to positionless voting, it makes being voted as a member of this group that much more exclusive.

On Monday, NBA Communications announced that Allen received 20 total points in the 2023-24 All-Defensive Team voting process. The 2022 NBA All-Star garnered one first-place vote (worth two points) and another 18 votes for second place (worth one point apiece).

However, these 20 points were not enough for Allen to make any of the 2023-24 NBA All-Defensive Teams. Four centers made the First Team in Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), and Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers).

Overall, the Cleveland big man finished 14th in voting, behind Luguentz Dort (34 points) and Chet Holmgren (21 points) of the Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as Kawhi Leonard (29 points) of the Los Angeles Clippers on the NBA’s de facto Honorable Mention list.

Just some of Allen’s defensive presence could be felt in the Cavaliers’ first two playoff games against the Orlando Magic before he eventually suffered a rib injury that made him miss the remainder of the team’s playoff run. The big man played a significant role in this span, recording a combined 26 defensive rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

Allen averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals per game during the regular season, reaching these marks for the third consecutive campaign.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering the offseason with a lot of questions to be answered. Despite going 48-34 and notching the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they were sent packing by the Boston Celtics in five games in the semifinals.

There have been questions surrounding the future of J.B. Bickerstaff, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland in Cleveland.

With all these things looming over the organization, the Cavs decided to make a shocking change ahead of this offseason.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is going to be ‘significantly’ more included in the basketball operations starting this offseason.

The Cavs have Koby Altman as the President of Basketball Operations and Mike Gansey as the general manager. Nonetheless, it looks like those two men will have to include Gilbert in conversations regarding the future of the club.

Jarret Allen’s name has already been involved in trade discussions with Mitchell’s potential massive extension hanging in the balance.

Windhorst appeared on ‘The Hoop Collective’ and said, “I would think the Cavs are going to be spending more time in this next month looking at possible Jarrett Allen trades and what that can bring.”

Allen has two years and $40 million left on his current deal and the Cavs could be looking to move that.

As for Garland, it has been reported that his management Klutch Sports will meet with Cleveland this offseason to orchestrate a trade if Mitchell decides to stay in Cleveland long-term.

With all these big changes on the horizon, the 62-year-old owner will have a say in what transpires.

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