Evan Mobley takes his seat among the NBA’s elite defenders

Cleveland Cavalier’s budding star Evan Mobley has become elite.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a burgeoning star in Evan Mobley. The second-year forward saw his numbers take a nice bump this year, averaging 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. All up from the year prior. He also had 1.5 blocks per game, slightly down from the year prior.

His true shooting percentage was up too, from 54.9% to 59.1%, marking an improvement in his efficiency on offense. His three-point numbers dipped slightly but he wasn’t shooting so many in volume that it’s really a concern. More than anything, his lack of attempts is the bigger issue, not the conversion rate.

We knew he took the next step this year simply by watching him play. But his offensive growth and improved stat line weren’t all Mobley did. He also showcased an increased awareness of defense. So much so that he ended up finishing third in the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

If that wasn’t enough, Mobley can now claim to live among the elites of the game, as he was named a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

He joins the Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Jrue Holliday, the Memphis Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr., and the Bucks’ Brook Lopez.

Evan Mobley’s playoff performance should not negate his impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers

Mobley stepped up big this year, but he didn’t step up enough. The Cavs struggled in the playoffs, partly due to Mobley. Now, there is plenty of blame to go around, and Mobley deserves no more or less than anyone else, but it’s a fact he just didn’t play well. While he and Jarrett Allen did a great job of keeping Julius Randle from getting any consistent offense going, neither man could keep Jalen Brunson out of the paint.

Considering Burnson likes to attack the paint, it was on Allen and Mobley to keep him out and they failed. He also didn’t impress on offense, averaging 9.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He also only shot 45% from the floor. That’s a good stat for a guard, but Mobley’s seasonal average was 55% from inside the arc.

Cleary Mobley didn’t bring his A-game to the Knicks series, but that’s no reason to cut bait and run. Mobley is on the right course and it’s clear the experts in the NBA see big things coming for the two-way big man.