CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Evan Mobley has never scored this efficiently or shot 3-pointers with such frequency. He’s never created so many shots for his teammates. Two-plus seasons into Mobley’s career, it almost feels like he’s ... developing.
Are Cavs fans seeing this? Are Mobley’s critics watching? Or are both parties still too busy complaining that the 22-year-old forward wasn’t doing this sooner?
For most of Mobley’s stint in Cleveland, fans have observed his game with crossed arms and one eye on their watch. Hurry up, Evan! Show us that polished post-up game. Now blow past your defender off the dribble. And what’s taking so long on that jump shot? Can you even co-exist with Jarrett Allen?
Stories by Jimmy Watkins
They didn’t care that Mobley should still be in college. And they didn’t appreciate that he finished third in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting during his second season as a pro. Anxious Cavs fans, or impatient Mobley haters, or both, needed the youngster to become a three-level scorer like they need their Door Dash delivery: as soon as possible.
Well, over his last six games, Mobley has shown signs of the improvement fans have craved. He’s scoring 17.7 points on 62% shooting and 58.3% from 3 (two attempts per game) while dishing 3.2 assists per game, all of which would be career highs. He’s also tallied career-bests in effective field goal percentage (59.7%), free throw percentage (76.5%) 3-point percentage (39.1%) and assists per game (2.9) through 29 games this season. And before the dissenters mention the small sample, they should know that argument works in Mobley’s favor just as much (if not more) than it dilutes his success.
Fun with numbers: In 177 NBA games, Mobley has attempted 20 or more field goals just six times, which is one fewer instance than Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama (seven) in 48 games this season. Second-year Magic forward Paolo Banchero has played 32 such games already. And when you compare Mobley to top-tier prospects with similar experience, you see how rare it is for a player so talented to take over so infrequently.
How Recent Star Prospects Hog The Ball (Unless you’re Evan Mobley)
| Prospect (Draft Year) | Team | Career Games played | Career Games with 20+ FGA | Team win percentage since player was drafted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham (2021) | Pistons | 118 | 40 (19 this season) | .222 (Cunningham missed most of 2022-23) |
| Jalen Green (2021) | Rockets | 196 | 44 (11 this season) | .304 |
| Evan Mobley (2021) | Cavs | 177 | 6 | .602 |
| Anthony Edwards (2020) | Timberwolves | 256 | 116 (24 as a rookie) | .512 |
| James Wiseman (2020) | Warriors/Pistons | 117 | 0 | .361 |
| LaMelo Ball (2020) | Hornets | 184 | 51 (18 last season) | .398 |
| Zion Williamson (2019) | Pelicans | 157 | 29 (15 in 2020-21) | .472 |
| Ja Morant (2019) | Grizzlies | 257 | 87 (7 as a rookie) | .544 |
| R.J. Barrett (2019) | Knicks/Raptors | 315 | 55 (15 last season) | .491 |
Besides former second overall pick -- and let’s be honest, current bust -- James Wiseman, every Mobley contemporary possesses a greener light to explore their scoring talent. And without exception, they all lose more often than Mobley’s Cavs. Think that’s a coincidence? Think the Cavs don’t want Mobley to shoot more often? Or do you think it’s possible that Mobley landed in a unique situation where his franchise doesn’t ask him to behave like a gunner because it doesn’t need him to?
Not only does Mobley own the highest winning percentage among the prospects tracked by cleveland.com, he’s also the only player who has never finished with a losing record. The second Mobley arrived in Cleveland, he and Jarrett Allen formed a dominant defensive pairing under coach J.B. Bickerstaff. And their fit next to Darius Garland emboldened general manager Koby Altman to trade for star guard Donovan Mitchell.
You keeping up? In about 18 months, Mobley graduated from Pac-12 basketball at USC -- where he also never took more than 16 shots -- to gunning for a championship next to Mitchell. He graduated from the best player on every court to the second-, third-, or fourth-best on his team, depending on the day. And such a trajectory left little room for offensive experimentation.
If Mobley played in a ball-handling wasteland like San Antonio, he might be a smoother dribbler by now. If he was drafted by a team like Houston, which craved scoring after trading James Harden, he might have developed more go-to moves. And if he landed in Detroit, where the Pistons are desperate for direction of any kind, Mobley might look more like the idealized prospect so many want him to be here.
But because he fit so well in Cleveland, the Cavs fast-tracked their plan to playing serious, winning basketball. Because of that plan, they traded for Mitchell to pair with Garland, both of whom deserve every dribble and shot attempt. And because Mobley found a way to fit into his new surroundings, people have confused his lack of opportunity with a lack of ability.
But as fans and critics tapped their feet impatiently, Mobley grew at his own pace. He’s shooting more 3-pointers, scoring more efficiently and creating more chances for his teammates now. And he’s doing it while the Cavs win, which is more than many of his peers with deeper “bags” can say this early in their careers.
Have you noticed? Or were you too busy checking your watch?
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