The Cleveland Cavaliers have perhaps the NBA’s best and most promising young core, and a major part of that core is big man Evan Mobley.
The second-year man had a nice season, averaging 16.2 points on 55.4 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game while helping the Cavs finish with the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Mobley was nominated for the Defensive Player of the Year award, and although he lost it to the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., he did make history by being the youngest finalist ever for the award.
The youngest DPOY finalist ever. It’s only up from here!📈@evanmobley | #LetEmKnow | #KiaDPOY pic.twitter.com/HZHX89UDAQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 17, 2023
Mobley is 21 years of age, and he has been a defensive force in the paint for Cleveland ever since he entered the NBA last season as the third pick in the 2021 draft.
He forms one-half of an impressive frontcourt duo along with Jarrett Allen that seals off the paint and makes it hard for opponents to control the boards.
With Mobley’s help, the Cavs established the top defensive rating in the league during the regular season, something that is an accomplishment in itself given how young their roster is.
However, they are facing a challenge in the first round of the playoffs after losing Game 1 to the New York Knicks.
The ultimate potential of the Cavs in the coming years seems to rest on Mobley’s development, especially on the offensive end, as they already have arguably the best backcourt in basketball with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
He seems to have the potential to reach the level of Anthony Davis or even Kevin Garnett thanks to his ball-handling skills.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Set A Cavaliers Playoff Record On Saturday