Coming into this season, Evan Mobley was expected to take the next step in his game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a breakout fourth season that included him earning his first All-Star selection, a spot on the All-NBA second team, and winning Defensive Player of the Year, there was a ton of excitement surrounding Mobley.
Instead, he has had an up and down fifth season that has featured injuries, offensive inconsistencies, and sometimes a lack of assertiveness. Despite still maintaining his elite defense and his counting stats looking pretty similar, there was a growing sense of disappointment surrounding Mobley.
In order for the Cavs to go further in the playoffs, they are going to need the best version of the young forward every night. Fortunately, it seems that Mobley has turned a corner.
Evan Mobley has been stellar since the All-Star break for the Cavs
In 15 games since the break, Mobley is hovering around 20 points per game and ten rebounds. He has put it together throughout the month of March though, averaging 21 PPG, 10 rebounds, three assists, and nearly two blocks per night. He is also shooting 63 percent from the field this month.
Mobley has been much more aggressive around the rim recently, taking less three-pointers and jumpers, and rolling hard to the basket. Granted, Jarrett Allen has been out for most of the month, which has led to Mobley playing a lot more center than he is used to, but even in Allen’s return last week, Mobley’s attack plan did not change against the Heat. He finished with 23 points and ten rebounds in that contest.
His developing synergy with Harden has been a big reason for his jump at the end of the year here. Harden has made life a lot easier for Mobley, allowing Cleveland to use him in different ways.
Whether it’s on the move with a flash to the paint, a lob from the dunker’s spot, or a simple post or face up that ends with an attempt at the rim, Mobley’s upped aggressiveness is very encouraging for the Cavs and their outlook.
This is a pivotal year for Cleveland, as they need a deep playoff run now. They will go as far as their dominant superstar duo of Harden and Donovan Mitchell take them, but Mobley, along with Allen, both need to be imposing forces in the paint to give the Cavs yet another dominant advantage.