Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 x-factors that will determine their success

Cleveland Cavaliers X-Factors: Evan Mobley’s growing pains

From the moment he was drafted, Evan Mobley has been marketed as the franchise cornerstone. The star Cleveland has been desperately searching for. Regardless of how exciting his raw potential is, Mobley is certain to have his fair share of growing pains as a rookie.

It typically takes a few years for young centers to hit their stride in the NBA. Look no further than the humble beginnings of league MVP, Nikola Jokic, or even Deandre Ayton who got off to a slow start for proof of this. It is safe to assume Mobley, whether he becomes a star or not, will run into some speedbumps early on.

The most obvious setback will be his weight. Mobley is a frail seven-footer, weighing just 215 pounds. For reference, the average weight of an NBA center is 254.8 pounds according to this report. This places Mobley quite far down the totem pole.

This lack of muscle played a role in Mobley’s erratic 34.9 percent shooting in Summer League. He struggled to get in the paint, partially due to poor vision from his teammates but also because of his inability to battle for position against bigger opponents. Mobley was easily knocked out of the post and often settled for outside jumpers and tough floaters. We can expect to see this happen a lot during his rookie NBA season.

Mobley still had promising moments in Las Vegas. He had a few hot streaks from the floor and showcased his ability to defend multiple positions and block a variety of shots with his incredible wingspan. Much like Isaac Okoro, Mobley will likely be a difference-maker on defense from day one. And, his aggressiveness in trying to dunk the ball despite his lack of strength is a motivating sign. Furthermore, his willingness to work out with Steven Adams, who also entered the league as a scrawny big, is something that should encourage everyone.

I’d wager Mobley finds it much easier to score the ball with Darius Garland setting him up for lobs and looks in the paint. Mobley has never played with a gifted playmaker though he moves well off-ball (when engaged) and can offer a bit of spacing by stepping into the mid-range for face-up shots that he seems to love.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Cleveland’s peak will be determined by how good their rookie can perform. Mobley might not hit the ground running but the sooner he puts his wide array of talents together, the better chance Cleveland has of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2018.