I think his handle could improve and once in a while he floats a little on D. His offense seems to come and go within a particular game. However, I am the same poster who weeks ago noted I believe in this thread that KG should be this player's floor.Monbleys advanced jump shot after 18 NBA games is absolutely incredible. I didn’t even know if he would be ready to actually shoot threes in real games in year 1. I liked his chances long term because he had decent fork and touch and shot 30% from a shorter college line and 70% from the line.
But we are 18 games in and he is shooting nearly 35% from 3 on 2 attempts a game. He is shooting 78% from the FT line.
He’s basically averaging 15/8/3. Only 2 turnovers.
Defensively he’s averaging 2 blocks and 1 steal per game.
His on/off numbers are insane for anyone let alone a rookie.
He is never a ball stopper, he always operates well within any offensive or defensive scheme. He can literally guard 1-5. He can shut any player in the leagues water off individually.
We are 12-6 with him on the court. I guarantee we win at least 1, probably 2 of the 4 games we lost while he was out.
And just back to his shooting to end this post….in the third quarter he came out looking for his shot…he came out and swished a corner 3, where he has an unblockable high release. Then a beautiful turnaround after a little shake and bake like Kobe and KG used to do on their turn around jumpers…then he cans another 3 from the top of the key with no hesitation. His shooting form was machine-like. He raised up and squared his body with his right elbow tucked in neatly and a slight flick of the wrist on the release. Swish. Swish. Swish. The body control and muscle memory that went into those three consecutive shots was amazing. He is clearly, clearly working hard on his jumper and the results are already showing. The pace at which Mobley improves is breathtaking. He absorbs and processes information so quickly…he picks up new things so quickly…but it’s clear to me that Evan Mobley is going to improve leaps and bounds every single year. Even within each year. That is part of why he is truly a generational talent. I believe he is going to be a very high level shooter long term. Like I see him already on a trajectory to become a high volume knockdown 3 point shooter-at least relatively compared to similar players at his position.
I see the game to game improvement in all kinds of facets. I saw him last night competing HARD and securing defensive rebounds with a vigor I haven’t always seen from him. He was ripping tough rebounds down in traffic and making sure to grab the ball with both hands. I think defensive rebounding is something the Cavs have prioritized with him a little more in practice recently.
Mobley basically has no weaknesses. And anything that is even ever considered a weakness is something he prioritizes and changes quickly.
Special. Special. Special.