Danny Green has played alongside some of the game’s most dominant big men, from Tim Duncan to Anthony Davis, and has earned three NBA titles by being in the right places with the right people at the right time.
So when Green talks hoop IQ and potential, it comes with weight. And when it comes to [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://cavaliersnation.com/) big man Evan Mobley, the veteran swingman sees a rare combination of talent and trajectory.
> “I mean, right now when he first came in, I thought he had a potential to be like an AD — Anthony Davis,” Green told me.
Mobley, the former No. 3 overall pick, was already lauded for his defensive instincts and footwork when he entered the league.
But it’s the added layers to his offensive game — the ball-handling, the shooting, the face-up footwork — that have Green paying closer attention.
> “But he’s doing a little different now,” Green continued. “He’s spreading the floor, shooting some 3s, bringing the ball up. … He can kind of now create his own lane because it’s too far of a stretch to call him Kevin Durant, and him and Anthony Davis are a little bit different. But he can kind of put himself in that same conversation as Anthony Davis.”
That’s not light praise. Davis, when healthy, is arguably the most versatile two-way big man in basketball. And while Mobley isn’t quite the one-for-one match, Green sees the 23-year-old carving out his own modern big archetype.
Green added that Mobley’s game also brings to mind another name: an NBA champion and Hall of Fame big who was essential to one of the greatest trios in league history.
> “Very much like him too,” Green said when asked if Mobley shows flashes of Chris Bosh in his game. “Very much like him as well. Chris Bosh is a VERY GOOD shooter.”
Bosh, who evolved from a high-usage post player in Toronto to a floor-spacing, third-option All-Star with the [Miami Heat](https://heatnation.com/), became a model for how skilled bigs adapt to modern spacing.
Green believes Mobley has similar upside — if not right now, then in the evolution of his offensive game down the road.
> “He has ways to become a Chris Bosh towards the end of his career,” Green said. “Chris Bosh became a really good 3-point shooter at the end of his career.”
Mobley’s development will be pivotal for the Cavaliers’ long-term success. As Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell shoulder perimeter responsibilities, the frontcourt will need Mobley to emerge as both an anchor and an initiator. His ability to defend multiple positions is already elite. Now, he’s being trusted to impact the game offensively in more creative ways.
The Cavaliers have shown flashes of being a real threat in the East, but in a conference loaded with big names and bigger expectations, it’s internal growth that might ultimately determine how far they go. Mobley doesn’t need to be Davis or Bosh — but if he can tap into pieces of both, Cleveland’s ceiling gets a lot higher.
Green’s words also double as a challenge — not just admiration. As someone who’s played with Hall of Famers and understands what greatness looks like up close, his belief in Mobley is significant. It speaks not only to potential but to a level of trust from a respected vet.
For Mobley, that’s meaningful. In an NBA where the spotlight burns hot and expectations are immediate, having someone like Green recognize his path — and even loosely draw comparisons to generational bigs — can reinforce confidence while fueling ambition.
There’s still room for growth. But if Mobley continues on this track, the names Green mentioned may not be comparisons — they may one day be company.