5 biggest threats to Evan Mobley’s Rookie of the Year award hopes
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Cavaliers may have the Rookie of the Year in Evan Mobley.
Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping that rookie sensation Evan Mobley brings some much-needed post-season accolades to the organization. Mobley’s having a heck of a season for the Cavaliers, and is in the eyes of many, the front runner for the Rookie of the Year Award.
The Cavaliers have always had two players win the award; LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They’re hoping that the young big-man can help secure the award for the third time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have every reason to think that’s possible, as Mobley isn’t just getting a lot of hype for that award but also for the Defensive Player of the Year Award as well. While Mobley is a long shot to win that award, he isn’t to win the Rookie of the Year Award.
Mobley has started all 31 games he’s played in and has averaged just shy of 34 minutes per game in that span. He’s shooting 50% from the floor and 30% from three-point land. Which isn’t bad considering he’s a center. He’s also averaging just shy of 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and just shy of two blocks per game.
He has a -2.7 offensive RAPTOR score, but a whopping +3.4 defensive RAPTOR score. No rookie has a score that high on either side of the ball.
Why is he the leading candidate?
Well, look at his stats, look at his efficiency and look at how effective he is doing his thing on defense. No rookie plays anything as well as he plays defense, and that’s a testament to how unique and impactful he is. He’s also doing this on a team that is currently 22-17 and looking at their first playoff birth without LeBron James in over 20 years.