Evan Mobley is off to a superb start this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the team believes it is his intellect for the game that has a lot to do with that early success.
Mobley is averaging 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 blocked shots and 1.1 steals through nine games with the Cavaliers. He ranks within the top five among all rookies in total points (4th), rebounds (1st), assists (5th), blocks (1st) and steals (2nd).
On Wednesday, Mobley recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He became the first Cavaliers rookie since Matthew Dellavedova in 2014 to produce back-to-back double-doubles.
Mobley earned praise from head coach J.B. Bickerstaff for his mental side of the game.
At his age, and his level of experience, his intellect far outweighs what you see, and not only is he extremely bright, he picks up things quickly and he can pick them up in the moment. We have a conversation about something that is happening in the pick and roll during that game, Evan sees it and fixes it right away. It is phenomenal that he is that far ahead of the curve. Credit his dad for coaching him growing up. He taught him how to play the game the right way and how to think the game. Obviously, he took to it.
Of course, Mobley also has the physical tools to be a force in the NBA.
The 7-footer boasts a 7-foot-4 wingspan, and has the athleticism and lateral quickness to essentially guard every position on the floor. Teams are finding out on a nightly basis that he is not the matchup they want to try to exploit in late-game situations, which often happens.
Damian Lillard found that out the hard way on Wednesday night.
Lillard wants Evan Mobley on the switch for a huge possession in the 4th and… it doesn't go well
Mobley is as good as it gets in space pic.twitter.com/E5iycihTHD
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) November 4, 2021
The defensive stop by the Cavaliers ultimately helped seal the win and improve to 5-4. The play gives yet another example of his ability to contest shots. In fact, Mobley leads the NBA in contested shots with 136; the next highest is Giannis Antetokounmpo with 102.
Mobley was highly touted entering the draft for his physical tools but he has also made a name for himself for the way he can see the game and react to it in real-time. Having both skillsets is rather rare for a rookie but Mobley has demonstrated he is no ordinary first-year player.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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