Java - Generics vs Casting Objects

Question

I have a class Data

with a generic attribute

private T value;

is there nicer way to do the following?
ie

Answer 1

You could ask if "value" is assignable to the expected class.

private T value;
.
.
.
public Object getValueAsObjectOfClass(Class expectedClass) {
    if(!expectedClass.isAssignableFrom(value.getClass())) {
        // abort gracefully
    }
    return expectedClass.cast(value);
}