Evan Mobley: 2023 All Defensive 1st Team

[The Human Q-Tip]

RCF had that draft nailed. Just about everyone was excited about Barnes over Cade, Kuminga and Green before the lottery. Once it became clear Houston liked Green's sizzle over Mobley's steak, we all got on board with Mobley as a generational talent.

To be honest, that's not how I remember it. I remember Green being generally touted as a franchise-changing offensive talent, and the consensus better player than Barnes at least. Not saying there weren't some who saw it differently, but I thought few had Barnes above 4-5.

 

[Randolphkeys]

To be honest, that's not how I remember it. I remember Green being generally touted as a franchise-changing offensive talent, and the consensus better player than Barnes at least. Not saying there weren't some who saw it differently, but I thought few had Barnes above 4-5.

Yeah, some people were excited about Green as that "goto scorer" before the lottery. Lots of people were touting Barnes over him - props to @RchfldCavRaised @Cavatt @Nathan S and @I'mWithDan among others who loved Barnes.

I remember being all in on Barnes after watching Florida State and going back to some high school games with Cunningham, Barnes and Moody. At that point, I didn't want to tempt myself with Mobley because I'd have taken him #1. I adopted USC and the Mobley/Brobley duo during the NCAA tournament run.

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

I was on the Mobley train even before we had the no 3 pick. I knew he was it from the beginning.

 

[Lee]

RCF had that draft nailed. Just about everyone was excited about Barnes over Cade, Kuminga and Green before the lottery. Once it became clear Houston liked Green's sizzle over Mobley's steak, we all got on board with Mobley as a generational talent.

I still really like Barnes and he is going to be the offensive alpha in Toronto in the next two years. Great player, but Mobley over Barnes 10 times out of 10. Don't look back.

It was dumb that Barnes won Rookie of the year of Barnes, but 2 out of 3 years, Barnes is the run away ROTY, just happens 2 great rookies this year.

But those awards are dumb, remember that Koby only won one MVP and Nash has 2, lol

 

[Lee]

I was on the Mobley train even before we had the no 3 pick. I knew he was it from the beginning.

I was leading that train, it was well known I had a complete man crush on Mobley, I liked Mobley as much as much as @RchfldCavRaised loved Garland. But @RchfldCavRaised has admitted to having a PG problem. I think he would build a team with 5 starting PG's if he could, lol

 

[jjvors]

It was dumb that Barnes won Rookie of the year of Barnes, but 2 out of 3 years, Barnes is the run away ROTY, just happens 2 great rookies this year.

But those awards are dumb, remember that Koby only won one MVP and Nash has 2, lol

At least one of Nash's MVPs should have been Lebron's.

 

[Lee]

At least one of Nash's MVPs should have been Lebron's.

Living in Phoenix and believing Nash is over rated doesnt make me popular, lol....Nash is a HOF player, but 2 time MVP?

 

[Cavatt]

RCF had that draft nailed. Just about everyone was excited about Barnes over Cade, Kuminga and Green before the lottery. Once it became clear Houston liked Green's sizzle over Mobley's steak, we all got on board with Mobley as a generational talent.

I still really like Barnes and he is going to be the offensive alpha in Toronto in the next two years. Great player, but Mobley over Barnes 10 times out of 10. Don't look back.

The one thing nearly everyone on the board got was Suggs would struggle. Similar criticism of Johnny Davis this year, and he struggled in summer league where you would expect him to thrive.

I took the people I most respect on the site's word for it on Mobley, I have to say. I wasn't thrilled with taking a center as I was super high on Allen. I had Barnes over him, but I wouldn't trade them 1 for 1 now. Mobley just didn't pop on tape the same way. I think his calm demeanor is still a reason he didn't get ROTY.

It was really the way the guys trended. Green started losing popularity, Barnes kept rising. Cade was always assumed to be the #1 and so people seemed to try to console themselves by saying he wasn't 6'8" and that also turned out to be true, lol.

I have to say, it was as fun a draft, and super exciting all over. One of the greatest. Reminded me of 2018 when we were all hyped on JJJ and Doncic, hated Trae, liked Ayton but thought he was soft, hated Bagley, you were the biggest Shai guy, and I loved Mikal Bridges. We barely talked about Sexton lol. That is another one I feel like the board got mostly right. Trae was the big miss even if we were never in a position to get him. Just a few true believers.

 

[Randolphkeys]

The one thing nearly everyone on the board got was Suggs would struggle. Similar criticism of Johnny Davis this year, and he struggled in summer league where you would expect him to thrive.

I will raise my hand as jumping on the Suggs train during the regular season. I'm a WCC fan and believe the level of competition is underrated nationally. I even had Ben on the Suggs train with me... but then the projectable traits just weren't as clear. He isn't as elite as a passer or outside shooter. Barnes has that Kawhi type frame and such a great motor. The high school tape with Cunningham as co-facilitator cemented the switch for me.

I have to say, it was as fun a draft, and super exciting all over. One of the greatest. Reminded me of 2018 when we were all hyped on JJJ and Doncic, hated Trae, liked Ayton but thought he was soft, hated Bagley, you were the biggest Shai guy, and I loved Mikal Bridges. We barely talked about Sexton lol. That is another one I feel like the board got mostly right. Trae was the big miss even if we were never in a position to get him. Just a few true believers.

I was with you on Mikal Bridges as my backup plan to Shai. When our insiders told us Shai was dodging our franchise, I understood why they went another direction... but team can't have enough Bridges types.

 

[Cavatt]

I will raise my hand as jumping on the Suggs train during the regular season. I'm a WCC fan and believe the level of competition is underrated nationally. I even had Ben on the Suggs train with me... but then the projectable traits just weren't as clear. He isn't as elite as a passer or outside shooter. Barnes has that Kawhi type frame and such a great motor. The high school tape with Cunningham as co-facilitator cemented the switch for me.




I was with you on Mikal Bridges as my backup plan to Shai. When our insiders told us Shai was dodging our franchise, I understood why they went another direction... but team can't have enough Bridges types.

I'm not saying Suggs sucks. He flashes. It's just no one believes he is better than the top 4 in this draft. Comparing him to Johnny Davis tho might not be fair.

Shai is cool. I think the thing I saw from him was he could just rhythm himself to the rim. Guys can't keep him from getting there. He reminds me of Baron Davis, getting to the rim despite not having a super fast step.

I am super high on Mobley right now. He looked great against every level of competition including Durant.

 

[Adam]

Just watching this footage and I think we might need to pump the brakes on any narrative that Mobley will be an effective 3point shooter in the coming season. Still a lot of work to do by the looks of things on his base and release etc...

 

[roozy]

Just watching this footage and I think we might need to pump the brakes on any narrative that Mobley will be an effective 3point shooter in the coming season. Still a lot of work to do by the looks of things on his base and release etc...

Doesn't look that bad to me? Base seems consistent, shooting motion no longer looks like it's coming from the top of his head, guide hand no longer dramatically swings to the left. Definitely seems like some improvement, but still quite slow.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

The release is quicker as well as the windup. He is leaning to the left slightly and his base is weak.. but there is improvement. Slow and steady wins the race. And it's a solid improvement imo. Last shot was great.

 

[Photon]

I like Barnes, but 6.7 PF is still something you can deal with no matter how good he is, Evan has some physical advantages you just can’t deal with (on BOTH sides of the court) and very clear defensive talent that is IMO the rarest thing to find these days…

 

[CPK]

Even if the release is still on the slow side, though it does look faster, how many guys are actually tall enough to close out on him and really contest it well.