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5 biggest threats to Evan Mobley’s Rookie of the Year award hopes

By Chad Porto

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 07: Evan Mobley # 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers grabs a rebound during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 07, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 07: Evan Mobley # 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers grabs a rebound during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 07, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 05: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center on January 5, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 05: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center on January 5, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images) /

3. Josh Giddey – Oklahoma City Thunder

Club Record: 13-25

Josh Giddey was the pick I was angling for, mostly due to my concern over Darius Garland’s improvement. It’s fair to say I’m no longer concerned. Taking Mobley was the right pick for the fit of the team but Giddey is impressive in Oklahoma. Giddey plays like Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio in a lot of ways but he’s bigger, stronger, and more athletic.

At least he shoots three’s like Rubio…Wait…

Currently, Giddey is averaging 30.3 minutes per game. He’s shooting 39.6% from the floor and 26.4% from three-point land. He’s also putting up 11.1 points, seven and a half rebounds, and just over six assists per game.

Like with Cade Cunningham, his advanced metrics aren’t great looing but compared to other rookies, he’s doing great. His offensive RAPTOR is -1.6 and his defensive RAPTOR is -1.3. If he had better teammates, he may have even better figures.

Why he’s a candidate

He’s averaging 10+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and doing so next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the team’s primary ball-handler. Considering just how aggressive someone like Gilgeous-Alexander is with the ball, it’s fair to say that on a team without Gilgeous-Alexander that Giddy would be putting up much better numbers.

Why he’s not a candidate

Giddy has to face the same issue that just about everyone on this list has to deal with; they’re not directly affecting a team’s ability to get wins. At least not yet. It takes a while to learn that skill, guys like Luka Doncic and LeBron James took a few seasons to showcase it, so it’s not a knock on them. It’s just when the guys at the top of the list are doing that, it’s hard to make a case why guys like Giddy and others deserve it more than someone like Evan Mobley.

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