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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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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 7: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in a warm-up before playing the Utah Jazz in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2022, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 7: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in a warm-up before playing the Utah Jazz in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2022, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

1. Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors

Club Record: 19-17

Evan Mobley’s biggest competition is Scottie Barnes. The Raptors have finally started putting things together and are sitting at 19-17 currently on the season. The East is very tough this year, but the Raptors are seventh in the playoff race. Just 2.5 behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is in part due to Barnes, who has had an impressive start to his career.

He’s been playing nearly 36 minutes a game while starting all 31 games he’s played in. He’s averaging 14.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 48.7% from the floor. He may only be shooting 32.4% from three, but considering his production and impact, that’s pretty forgivable.

He’s putting up a RAPTOR score of +1.3 on offense and +0.8 on defense, arguably the best of any rookie in the league this year.

Why he’s a contender

Like with Mobley, Barnes is a major player on a potential playoff-bound team. While he has Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam playing next to him, that doesn’t invalidate him as much as some would think, as Mobley has a few good players around him as well. So Barnes’s impact on the team is just as impressive as Mobley’s in that regard.

Why he’s not a contender

While Barnes is a player that fans should be excited about if you’re a Raptors fan, no one in the national media has talked about him winning a non-rookie award. That’s not the case with Mobley, who some believe could win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He likely won’t but the fact he’s in the discussion shows that Mobley may just be a bit ahead of Barnes at the moment.

Next. The Cavs are projected to win a crazy amount of games this season. dark

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