The Cleveland Cavaliers have someone really special with their rookie star, number three overall pick Evan Mobley.
When the season began, most analysts predicted that other rookies, such as Jalen Green or Cade Cunningham, would be the favorites to win Rookie of the Year.
However, we are more than a month into the 2021-22 season and it’s become very obvious that Mobley is the best newcomer in the NBA.
What makes this young power forward so extraordinary and such a reason for the Cavs to celebrate?
He’s Lifting The Cavs
Very few people expected the Cavaliers to be as competitive as they are.
They are a team that many people see in “rebuild” mode – most anticipated they’d sit towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings this year.
However, they are currently the sixth-best team in the East with a record of 12-10, two games above .500.
While they are obviously not ready for the Finals, they are much better than people thought they’d be and a large part of that is thanks to Mobley.
Mobley is creating 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists a game.
In a masterclass game against the New York Knicks, Mobley had 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
It’s important to remember he’s doing all this just weeks into his NBA career.
Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland are just some of the other young gifted athletes on the Cavs – and they are all being assisted by Mobley’s output on the floor.
Mobley’s defensive power cannot be ignored either.
On average, the rookie has defended 17.6 field goal attempts a game, ahead of Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid.
He has been a part of some monster blocks so far this season and has quickly become a fan favorite because of his ability to create memorable moments like this one:
Get That Weak Stuff Outta Here‼️
.
🏀🏆⚔️#EvanMobley #Block #Defense #clevelandcavaliers #cavs #lebron #cedi #lebronjames #lbj #Ballislife #cle #klove #theland #love #cleveland #believeland #ohio #oh #nba #basketball #cavaliers #bball #hoops #ball #gocavs #Rubio #Allen pic.twitter.com/SIb9kQZOkb— CAVS CAVALRY (@cavs_cavalry) December 2, 2021
Mobley is becoming the sort of scary player who can cause havoc on both sides of the floor.
His Competition Doesn’t Come Close
The rest of the rookie class just isn’t on the same level as Mobley.
For example, the number one pick Cunningham got off to a rough start.
He missed the first four games of the season because of an ankle sprain and then entered the league with a very rocky patch filled with inconsistent scoring and shooting.
Cunningham has gotten better as the season has progressed but he is obviously still figuring out how to play in the NBA, unlike Mobley who is already performing like a seasoned pro.
Green of the Houston Rockets is also experiencing growing pains.
At first, it seemed like Green and not Mobley would be Rookie of the Year but now the conventional wisdom is changing.
Mobley was just named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November, again proving that he is head and shoulders above Cunningham, Green, and anyone else in his rookie class.
Leading the NBA in contested shots per game is a 20-year-old who's a big reason behind Cleveland's early-season surge! Give it up for the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November—@evanmobley! #NBA75
🎥 @cavs pic.twitter.com/xxZx7h4mxd
— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) December 3, 2021
Green is certainly showing flares of greatness – for a while he was averaging 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists a game – but he is stuck in the mire of the Rockets and isn’t able to impress as he could.
Even though both Cunningham and Green are certainly great rookies, their teams sit at the bottom of their respective conferences while Mobley’s Cavs are rising through the ranks.
Mobley has quickly and easily adjusted to life in the NBA and has instantly changed the fortune of the Cavaliers.
The best part about this young player is that he still has room to grow and improve, suggesting the future is even brighter for him and his team.
NEXT: Collin Sexton Contract: What Would A New Deal Look Like?
