Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 14, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley was dominant in Cleveland's latest win over the Grizzlies.
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Evan Mobley entered this season with two clear objectives: become an All-Star and win Defensive Player of the Year. One of those goals is already checked off. However, the other? It feels inevitable. If his recent matchup against Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. told us anything, it’s that Mobley isn’t just chasing trophies—he’s redefining what dominance looks like.
And maybe, just maybe, we need to start talking about something bigger.
Most Valuable Player.
Mobley’s talent has never been in question. Since stepping into the league, his defensive instincts, footwork, and timing have been elite.
But there’s a difference between potential and reality, between flashes of greatness and sustained excellence. This season, Mobley has leaped. He’s no longer a rising star—he’s a force. And against Jackson Jr., the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, he didn’t just showcase his case for the award.
He dismantled the competition.
Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley made a statement against the Grizzlies
The Cavaliers’ showdown against the Grizzlies was billed as a battle between Mobley and Jackson Jr., two of the NBA’s premier defensive players.
For Jackson Jr., it was a chance to reassert his dominance, to remind voters why he was last year’s winner and why he deserved another chance at Defensive Player of the Year. Instead, Mobley turned it into a showcase of everything that makes him better than Jackson Jr. and the best defender in the NBA.
It started early. On one of Memphis’ first possessions, Jackson Jr. attacked the rim, determined to set the tone. Mobley met him in mid-air, erasing the shot with ease. That was just the beginning.
Every drive, every post-up, every attempt to generate offense in the paint was met with resistance. By halftime, Jackson Jr. had more turnovers than made field goals.
This wasn’t just elite defense. This was complete dominance.
But Mobley wasn’t content with owning one end of the floor. He played with an offensive aggression that we’ve only seen in glimpses before.
Three transition threes in the first half. Nearly a fourth. A stat line of 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block—all before the third quarter even began. This wasn’t just a Defensive Player of the Year performance. This was the kind of all-around masterpiece that makes people rethink how they categorize a player.
Mobley isn’t just an elite defender. He’s an elite player, period.
Don’t let Evan Mobley’s stats distract you
It’s easy to get caught up in stats, in counting blocks and steals as a way to measure defensive greatness. But Mobley’s impact goes beyond box scores.
He doesn’t just block shots—he forces teams to abandon entire sections of the floor. He doesn’t just switch onto smaller players—he swallows them up. His defensive presence forces teams to rethink their game plan entirely, altering their approach before they even step on the court.
And now, with his offensive game evolving, he’s becoming the kind of two-way star that few teams have an answer for.
Mobley’s perimeter shot is falling with more consistency, stretching the floor in a way that forces defenders to respect his range. His post-game is smoother, his decision-making sharper.
Most importantly, he’s playing with a newfound assertiveness. He isn’t waiting for the game to come to him—he’s dictating the flow, imposing his will on both ends.
The result? The Cavaliers have transformed into a two-way juggernaut.
Since February, they’ve led the NBA in defensive rating, smothering teams with a level of cohesion and discipline that starts with Mobley. His presence allows Cleveland to dictate tempo, to turn defense into offense, to control games in a way few teams can replicate.
Defensive Player of the Year is just the beginning for Cavaliers star Evan Mobley
Jaren Jackson Jr. entered the season as the standard for defensive excellence. Mobley has shattered that standard—twice.
And yet, the conversation around Mobley can’t stop at Defensive Player of the Year. Because what he’s doing isn’t just making Cleveland elite defensively—it’s making them a contender. His presence is that impactful.
Look around the league. The best teams, the true contenders, are built around superstars who don’t just put up numbers but dictate the outcome of games through sheer force of presence. Jokic. Giannis. Embiid. These aren’t just stat-stuffers. They’re franchise-defining players whose very existence raises the ceiling of their teams.
Mobley is entering that conversation.
His defensive dominance is historic. His offensive growth is undeniable. The combination of both? That’s the blueprint of an MVP.
Opposing coaches are adjusting game plans to account for him. Stars are struggling to get comfortable against him. Teammates are thriving because of him.
And the Cavaliers? They look like a team that believes in something bigger than just playoff seeding.
They believe they can win.
That belief starts with Mobley. He isn’t just elevating his own game—he’s elevating an entire franchise. That’s what superstars do. That’s what MVPs do.
The awards will come. The Defensive Player of the Year trophy might as well have his name etched on it already. But Mobley isn’t playing for trophies.
He’s playing for something bigger.
A legacy.
And if this season has proven anything, it’s that he’s already building one.