Evan Mobley: 2023 All Defensive 1st Team

[Lee]

I would chuck in Kyrie

Kyrie was very good, he wasnt as crazy when here until the end and helped us win a championship.

We can comprimise and throw in Waiters, lol

 

[-Akronite-]

That play when the shot clock was winding down and he took his time, got to the basket with his length and hit a gorgeous layup… the poise of this kid is incredible.

His touch is so soft it’s a threat to bounce into the basket on every attempt. And despite his demeanor he has flash too. We’re so lucky.

 

[Alec]

Mobley's defense in numbers:

#8 in defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) in the entire NBA. Average age of other players in top 10 is 29.5 y/o
#8 in defensive win shares (DWS). Average age of other players in top 10 is 29.8 y/o
#3 in contests per game. Average age of other players in top 10 is 26 y/o.

The following are defensive analytics. 99 = better than 99% of players who qualify by playing enough mins.

Glossary:

CraftedDPM - "An aggregate of many different plus minus metrics. First, we convert all variables to the same scale, then we combine them and divide by the number of variables."

rPF = "how often you foul compared to league average"

BLKpct = "The percentage of opponent shot attempts that a player blocks while on the court"

Rim Defense = "Difference in FG% allowed within 6 feet of rim vs what those players shoot against all other defenders in that same area"

Rim Frequency = "The percentage of opponent shot attempts at the rim where this player is in position to contest the shot"


TLDR:

Somehow Mobley is Bill Russell reincarnated despite Bill Russell still being alive.

 

[Lee]

Mobley's defense in numbers:

#8 in defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) in the entire NBA. Average age of other players in top 10 is 29.5 y/o
#8 in defensive win shares (DWS). Average age of other players in top 10 is 29.8 y/o
#3 in contests per game. Average age of other players in top 10 is 26 y/o.

The following are defensive analytics. 99 = better than 99% of players who qualify by playing enough mins.

Glossary:

CraftedDPM - "An aggregate of many different plus minus metrics. First, we convert all variables to the same scale, then we combine them and divide by the number of variables."

rPF = "how often you foul compared to league average"

BLKpct = "The percentage of opponent shot attempts that a player blocks while on the court"

Rim Defense = "Difference in FG% allowed within 6 feet of rim vs what those players shoot against all other defenders in that same area"

Rim Frequency = "The percentage of opponent shot attempts at the rim where this player is in position to contest the shot"


TLDR:

Somehow Mobley is Bill Russell reincarnated despite Bill Russell still being alive.

I dont know how since he is top 10 in almost every defensive metric, but Mobley will get better, How? I dont know, but what i do know in the 40+ years i have been following the NBA, players improve allot from their rookie years, even the greats like Hakeem and Duncan improved allot from very impressive rookie years.

 

[Alec]

Rudy Gobert is a 3x DPOY. Gobert has attempted 8 total three pointers in his 9 year career. He shoots 64% free throws. He averages about 1 assist per game. He's in his prime and he averages 15 ppg basically standing under the hoop and being massive. Nearly 80% of his shots are directly under the rim.

Now imagine if that same 3x DPOY was already a way better offensive player in his first 30 games. Shooting 77%+ from the FT line. 46 attempts from 3 (making 33%), and averaging 2.5x more assists and 14.5 ppg. As a 20 year old rookie.

If Evan Mobley isn't the best player in the NBA in next few seasons (or sooner), something went awry.

 

[red.]

 

[red.]

 

[red.]

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

What Evan is doing right now on offense is awe inspiring. The tough shots he is able to take and make with relative ease it seems is really crazy.

However, and that's a big one for me, this is not how you want Evan to operate offensively and the Cavs offensively as a whole. Right now, these post ups, even if they are sustainable, are not creating any offensive flow and gravity for anyone else. And it's not just Mobley, there are simply way too many post ups right now by the Cavs without anyone else moving off the ball. It's ugly basketball and it happens way too much.

Sure, you can say that once teams adjust to Mobley's uber efficient post up play, he will draw more double teams and that will open up the game for everyone else. Could be. But most double teams happen closer to the basket rather than where he is currently operating, and for him to get closer to the basket he is going to need to become stronger at his core. Despite all of that, the dude isn't soft at all. He goes right at whoever is guarding him. Kudos to the dude, he has incredible passion.

In addition to that, I can't imagine posting up like that with his current body, with how much energy he has to exert on each possession not taxing to his body at his current stage of his development. That will have an effect on his overall defense and perhaps on other areas.

What I do want Evan to do, and the team to do is to operate in the short roll waaaay more and as a ball handler. It doesn't quite compute for me how the Cavs can't get Evan easier looks than what they are able to achieve right now. I'm not talking about lobs.. i'm talking about even a simple pick and pop from the top of the key... it has to be easier than those turnaround fadeaways with a man all over him.

It pains me to say it, but offensively Allen and Mobley currently do not fit well. Mobley offensively will be at his best playing in a spaced out floor and the same applies to Allen. Both of them are great in the post and both of them are deemed rather unuseful when the other is going 1 on 1 in the post. In are occasions you can see them playing a pretty neat big to big game, but it happens rather seldomly.

Also, I can not stress this one enough, Mobley is a terrible, terrible screen setter right now and Allen's okay at best screen setting doesn't offset that all. This kinda limits what the team is able to do offensively on the ball, and especially off the ball. Particularly now without Garland, the true engine of the team out of action.

So, Mobley and Allen fit really well defensively, no question about that. But for them to actually be great together offensively, they are going to need to actually complement each other...there are numerous ways for them to be able to do that on paper:

- Evan will need to develop a good 3pt shot and make himself available when Allen is operating in the post. Quite a realistic expectation imho.

- Mobley will need to develop as a ball handler and operate at the top of the break. Mobley's ball handling and quickness with the ball is not close to where you need it to be as a ball handler that can create separation and get by his man in iso. However, using him as a ball handler when Allen is the one setting the pick as a roll man is really interesting. I'm confident in Mobley's ability to find Allen on the roll and i'm really confident in Allen as a finisher. However, teams will probably switch the PnR, making this play probably unsuccessful. Could try slipping the screen instead. It all comes down to how far Mobley can improve his quickness with the ball as a ball handler, because I trust his decision making and execution a lot.

This is why the Cavs need another creator on the wing that is able to punish mismatches. Teams will switch against the Cavs a lot, and the Cavs will need to find ways to counter and make this tactic a lost cause. Actually having a wing with a good 3pt shot and creation abilities be the one setting the pick, or heck even Garland is something I want to explore. I think if Garland is brave enough, he can be a good candidate for that.

-Allen will need to develop a solid mid range jumper and a corner 3. It's not a must, but it's a nice option to have depending on the matchups. Cavs will always have a favorable matchup against any team, so having more options to attack through either one is always a plus.

Now what I really want Mobley to do is operate in the short roll. He is at his best as a decision maker when he has the numbers advantage and when getting the ball in momentum. Allen's man will always be an obstacle in his way in the short roll unless Allen develops his range outside the paint and/or they develop such a good big to big passing in short spaces that would make this irrelevant.

Anyhow, What Mobley is doing right now offensively is absolutely mind boggling. I have not seen a big make these type of moves on a consistent basis with such pure touch on his fadeaways since...forever? I just don't think it's the way the Cavs should operate on offense unless it's the end of a shot clock and they have run out of time or the play was broken, or on some rare occasions. But that shouldn't be most of Evan's offense. Nope. Luckily for us, Evan seems to be a jack of all trades and master of all. The coaching staff just need to put him in the best position to succeed not only for Evan as an individual but for the team as a whole.

 

[Cavatt]

What Evan is doing right now on offense is awe inspiring. The tough shots he is able to take and make with relative ease it seems is really crazy.

However, and that's a big one for me, this is not how you want Evan to operate offensively and the Cavs offensively as a whole. Right now, these post ups, even if they are sustainable, are not creating any offensive flow and gravity for anyone else. And it's not just Mobley, there are simply way too many post ups right now by the Cavs without anyone else moving off the ball. It's ugly basketball and it happens way too much.

Sure, you can say that once teams adjust to Mobley's uber efficient post up play, he will draw more double teams and that will open up the game for everyone else. Could be. But most double teams happen closer to the basket rather than where he is currently operating, and for him to get closer to the basket he is going to need to become stronger at his core. Despite all of that, the dude isn't soft at all. He goes right at whoever is guarding him. Kudos to the dude, he has incredible passion.

In addition to that, I can't imagine posting up like that with his current body, with how much energy he has to exert on each possession not taxing to his body at his current stage of his development. That will have an effect on his overall defense and perhaps on other areas.

What I do want Evan to do, and the team to do is to operate in the short roll waaaay more and as a ball handler. It doesn't quite compute for me how the Cavs can't get Evan easier looks than what they are able to achieve right now. I'm not talking about lobs.. i'm talking about even a simple pick and pop from the top of the key... it has to be easier than those turnaround fadeaways with a man all over him.

It pains me to say it, but offensively Allen and Mobley currently do not fit well. Mobley offensively will be at his best playing in a spaced out floor and the same applies to Allen. Both of them are great in the post and both of them are deemed rather unuseful when the other is going 1 on 1 in the post. In are occasions you can see them playing a pretty neat big to big game, but it happens rather seldomly.

Also, I can not stress this one enough, Mobley is a terrible, terrible screen setter right now and Allen's okay at best screen setting doesn't offset that all. This kinda limits what the team is able to do offensively on the ball, and especially off the ball. Particularly now without Garland, the true engine of the team out of action.

So, Mobley and Allen fit really well defensively, no question about that. But for them to actually be great together offensively, they are going to need to actually complement each other...there are numerous ways for them to be able to do that on paper:

- Evan will need to develop a good 3pt shot and make himself available when Allen is operating in the post. Quite a realistic expectation imho.

- Mobley will need to develop as a ball handler and operate at the top of the break. Mobley's ball handling and quickness with the ball is not close to where you need it to be as a ball handler that can create separation and get by his man in iso. However, using him as a ball handler when Allen is the one setting the pick as a roll man is really interesting. I'm confident in Mobley's ability to find Allen on the roll and i'm really confident in Allen as a finisher. However, teams will probably switch the PnR, making this play probably unsuccessful. Could try slipping the screen instead. It all comes down to how far Mobley can improve his quickness with the ball as a ball handler, because I trust his decision making and execution a lot.

This is why the Cavs need another creator on the wing that is able to punish mismatches. Teams will switch against the Cavs a lot, and the Cavs will need to find ways to counter and make this tactic a lost cause. Actually having a wing with a good 3pt shot and creation abilities be the one setting the pick, or heck even Garland is something I want to explore. I think if Garland is brave enough, he can be a good candidate for that.

-Allen will need to develop a solid mid range jumper and a corner 3. It's not a must, but it's a nice option to have depending on the matchups. Cavs will always have a favorable matchup against any team, so having more options to attack through either one is always a plus.

Now what I really want Mobley to do is operate in the short roll. He is at his best as a decision maker when he has the numbers advantage and when getting the ball in momentum. Allen's man will always be an obstacle in his way in the short roll unless Allen develops his range outside the paint and/or they develop such a good big to big passing in short spaces that would make this irrelevant.

Anyhow, What Mobley is doing right now offensively is absolutely mind boggling. I have not seen a big make these type of moves on a consistent basis with such pure touch on his fadeaways since...forever? I just don't think it's the way the Cavs should operate on offense unless it's the end of a shot clock and they have run out of time or the play was broken, or on some rare occasions. But that shouldn't be most of Evan's offense. Nope. Luckily for us, Evan seems to be a jack of all trades and master of all. The coaching staff just need to put him in the best position to succeed not only for Evan as an individual but for the team as a whole.

I think you want him to play the 5 in a spaced lineup too, but not yet. He is still not really a center. Maybe against some backups.

Defense is still much better with both Allen and Mobley out there.

I think as he gets doubled more, his passing game will open up more. That is all that is lacking now, even if he got the assists last night. He can be better passing the ball out of coverage.

 

[Peacedog]

Just saw that we're getting Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back for them. And Nets game will likely be close, so their guys should be logging some minutes.

That's cool. Anyone know who they have out on COVID right now?

 

[buzzdog]

What Evan is doing right now on offense is awe inspiring. The tough shots he is able to take and make with relative ease it seems is really crazy.

However, and that's a big one for me, this is not how you want Evan to operate offensively and the Cavs offensively as a whole. Right now, these post ups, even if they are sustainable, are not creating any offensive flow and gravity for anyone else. And it's not just Mobley, there are simply way too many post ups right now by the Cavs without anyone else moving off the ball. It's ugly basketball and it happens way too much.

Sure, you can say that once teams adjust to Mobley's uber efficient post up play, he will draw more double teams and that will open up the game for everyone else. Could be. But most double teams happen closer to the basket rather than where he is currently operating, and for him to get closer to the basket he is going to need to become stronger at his core. Despite all of that, the dude isn't soft at all. He goes right at whoever is guarding him. Kudos to the dude, he has incredible passion.

In addition to that, I can't imagine posting up like that with his current body, with how much energy he has to exert on each possession not taxing to his body at his current stage of his development. That will have an effect on his overall defense and perhaps on other areas.

What I do want Evan to do, and the team to do is to operate in the short roll waaaay more and as a ball handler. It doesn't quite compute for me how the Cavs can't get Evan easier looks than what they are able to achieve right now. I'm not talking about lobs.. i'm talking about even a simple pick and pop from the top of the key... it has to be easier than those turnaround fadeaways with a man all over him.

It pains me to say it, but offensively Allen and Mobley currently do not fit well. Mobley offensively will be at his best playing in a spaced out floor and the same applies to Allen. Both of them are great in the post and both of them are deemed rather unuseful when the other is going 1 on 1 in the post. In are occasions you can see them playing a pretty neat big to big game, but it happens rather seldomly.

Also, I can not stress this one enough, Mobley is a terrible, terrible screen setter right now and Allen's okay at best screen setting doesn't offset that all. This kinda limits what the team is able to do offensively on the ball, and especially off the ball. Particularly now without Garland, the true engine of the team out of action.

So, Mobley and Allen fit really well defensively, no question about that. But for them to actually be great together offensively, they are going to need to actually complement each other...there are numerous ways for them to be able to do that on paper:

- Evan will need to develop a good 3pt shot and make himself available when Allen is operating in the post. Quite a realistic expectation imho.

- Mobley will need to develop as a ball handler and operate at the top of the break. Mobley's ball handling and quickness with the ball is not close to where you need it to be as a ball handler that can create separation and get by his man in iso. However, using him as a ball handler when Allen is the one setting the pick as a roll man is really interesting. I'm confident in Mobley's ability to find Allen on the roll and i'm really confident in Allen as a finisher. However, teams will probably switch the PnR, making this play probably unsuccessful. Could try slipping the screen instead. It all comes down to how far Mobley can improve his quickness with the ball as a ball handler, because I trust his decision making and execution a lot.

This is why the Cavs need another creator on the wing that is able to punish mismatches. Teams will switch against the Cavs a lot, and the Cavs will need to find ways to counter and make this tactic a lost cause. Actually having a wing with a good 3pt shot and creation abilities be the one setting the pick, or heck even Garland is something I want to explore. I think if Garland is brave enough, he can be a good candidate for that.

-Allen will need to develop a solid mid range jumper and a corner 3. It's not a must, but it's a nice option to have depending on the matchups. Cavs will always have a favorable matchup against any team, so having more options to attack through either one is always a plus.

Now what I really want Mobley to do is operate in the short roll. He is at his best as a decision maker when he has the numbers advantage and when getting the ball in momentum. Allen's man will always be an obstacle in his way in the short roll unless Allen develops his range outside the paint and/or they develop such a good big to big passing in short spaces that would make this irrelevant.

Anyhow, What Mobley is doing right now offensively is absolutely mind boggling. I have not seen a big make these type of moves on a consistent basis with such pure touch on his fadeaways since...forever? I just don't think it's the way the Cavs should operate on offense unless it's the end of a shot clock and they have run out of time or the play was broken, or on some rare occasions. But that shouldn't be most of Evan's offense. Nope. Luckily for us, Evan seems to be a jack of all trades and master of all. The coaching staff just need to put him in the best position to succeed not only for Evan as an individual but for the team as a whole.

I disagree that JA and Evan don't fit on the offensive end. All they need is competent guard play and 2 guys on the floor who can knock down an open 3 point look.

 

[Cement]

Just saw that we're getting Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back for them. And Nets game will likely be close, so their guys should be logging some minutes.

That's cool. Anyone know who they have out on COVID right now?

Memphis Grizzlies​

• Kyle Anderson (Jan. 2)
• Shaq Buchanan (Dec. 31)
• Xavier Tillman (Dec. 30)
• John Konchar (Dec. 28)
• Dillon Brooks (Dec. 26)
• De'Anthony Melton (Dec. 26)

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I disagree that JA and Evan don't fit on the offensive end. All they need is competent guard play and 2 guys on the floor who can knock down an open 3 point look.

Their skillset overlaps. They don't complement each other. They are so good individually that they make it work. Ofcourse a good guard play will boost both of them.

 

[buzzdog]

Their skillset overlaps. They don't complement each other. They are so good individually that they make it work. Ofcourse a good guard play will boost both of them.

There's plenty of room on the court and in the paint for both of them and they know how to play together and compliment each other. You're still thinking like it's 2020.