CLEVELAND, Ohio — While much of the NBA world fixates on the Cavs’ present championship aspirations, some are equally bullish on Evan Mobley’s trajectory toward becoming one of the league’s elite talents – potentially even an MVP candidate within the next five years.
Chris Fedor couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about Mobley’s future: “My God, I would buy every bit of Evan Mobley stock that that is available on, on the market right now. Think about all of the things guys that Evan has already accomplished in his career. And then you start projecting forward about what it can be with an expanded offensive role, with an expanded offensive game.”
The evidence supporting Mobley’s upward trajectory is compelling.
His development as a 3-point shooter toward the end of the season showed glimpses of the offensive arsenal he’s building.
Jimmy Watkins provided statistical context that places Mobley in rarefied company: “In the history of the Defensive Player of the Year award, only 19 players have done that and been voted All-NBA in the same season. Eleven of those 19 finished in top five in MVP voting at least once during their career.”
Even more impressively, Watkins noted that Mobley is one of just seven players in NBA history to earn All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year honors at age 25 or younger. The other names? Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Dwight Howard, Ron Artest, Michael Jordan, and Sidney Moncrief.
“I just named five Hall of Famers or soon to be Hall of Famers,” Watkins said. “Evan Moby’s in really good company.”
Kenny Atkinson, who took over as head coach last summer, set ambitious goals for Mobley from Day 1. Ethan Sands recalled, “Kenny Atkinson said in his introductory press conference. ... ‘I’m going to feel a huge responsibility to help him get to that top 15, top 20, whatever it is. Who knows? Top five? Why not with the skill level and the athleticism and the human being, I don’t see why we can’t.’”
However, the key to Mobley’s ascension might not be physical or skill-based but mental.
“Greatness is not a sometimes thing,” Fedor continued. “It’s an almost all the time thing. And Evan has to understand that there’s a level of consistency that comes with being the guy. There’s a level of pressure that comes with being the guy.”
As Mobley approaches his age-24 season, the statistical indicators suggest he’s on the cusp of another significant leap. If he can develop the mindset to match his extraordinary physical gifts and rapidly expanding skill set, the Cavaliers may soon have not just a defensive anchor, but a legitimate MVP candidate leading their championship pursuit.
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