Evan Mobley: 2023 All Defensive 1st Team

[inliner311]

Let me make something clear. These are my opinions. I respect that 99% of this sub is high on Mobley. I hope he does evolve into a superstar. I really do. But i just dont see it yet from a purely talent perspective. So instead of just hopping on the bandwagon, I am simply
challenging the status quo.

Anyways here is my breakdown of his strenghts and his weaknesses. Again, this is my opinion and I shouldnt feel obligated to convert.

Pros

• Youth. He has room to grow by default provided he doesnt suffer injury
• Height. Cant teach height
• Attitude--He appears to be a team guy and gets along with his squad.
• Rim protection
• Ability to switch on to smaller players
• Ability to make himself open to lobs
• Average/ slightly above average court vision

This is my comprehensive list of what he brings to table. The first 3 attributes are important, but could also be said for any young 7 footer

Now here are his weaknessee

• Weak. Lacks muscle- Yes, he can fix this in time.
• Awful shooter- again, yes he could work on this as well
• Struggles from the line
• Lacks tenacity. Disappears in critical moments
• Cannot dribble for shit. He is a turnover waiting to happen. Coupled with his shooting this is a serious issue.
• Lacks a go-to move. 2 years into his career and he lacks a weapon on offense
• Average/ below average at scoring. Yes, his disciples on here claim 16 ppg impressive. I believe with the inflation in scoring- this number is low for a starter who plays heavy minutes. He should be at 18-20 ppg.
• Cannot get you a bucket in crunch time
• No post moves
• Turnover prone. I suppose this can be related to youth
• Gets beat down by larger bigs
• Unattractive and I suspect he has a small pecker
• But most of all, and here is where many of us differ..is the eye test. Simply put, when he has the rock I expect something bad to happen.

If you read my rant. Thank you. Again, he isnt a bad player. In fact, he is above average. I think
he may become a 18-19 and 10 player. With that said, my point is very simple- he is the 3rd best player on a contender. My projection for him next few years is 18 & 8-9 rpg. We cant build around this dude. However, he is a core piece and good asset. Thats all I have to say.

I think he needs the amount of touches and in game reps that both Garland and Sexton got. There really isn't any substitute for that. It's going to be ugly but it's really the only way we find out how good he can be.

He isn't going to get better from easy lob and dunks that Garland and Mitchell set up for him. He needs the opportunity to bring what he had in college and adapt it to the NBA. It's one of the biggest reasons why I don't think him and Mitchell are on the same timeline. It's just conflicting priorities if we want to build out Mobley's game vs being a contender for Mitchell.

I know you posted about how the 2021-2022 team was more fun to watch, I also think they were better for Mobley's development. There were less expectations and it would have been easier to carve out those opportunities for Mobley. Also Markkanen and Sexton could have covered for the necessary offense needed while Mobley developed and while we waited to find the missing pieces with the assets we had.

 

[foucault87]

Na. Disagree. Theres rarely been a franchise player who won games solely on defense besides...hmmm... Bill Russel Perhaps? Being a prolific scorer is not only important but it is a requisite to being a superstar in this league. Look at the Top 20 players in league. How many of those dudes are scrubs on offense?

Russell. Walton. Pippen. GP. Thurmond. Artist. There are many. You can do it as a playmaker too. Magic, Nash, Kidd. Scoring is the easiest path but its not the only one

 

[CroopZ23]

Russell. Walton. Pippen. GP. Thurmond. Artist. There are many. You can do it as a playmaker too. Magic, Nash, Kidd. Scoring is the easiest path but its not the only one

Your defensive examples are all old school. And Artest isnt a franchise player. Mobley isnt a playmaker so im not sure where you are going with that. BTW, payton, pippen, magic, nash, kidd were prolific offensive players. I never watched Russel, Walton, or Thurmond. But yes, in the modern NBA, defensive prodigies dont win you rings. Yes, they are a huge component. This is all consistent with my rant.

 

[CroopZ23]

I think he needs the amount of touches and in game reps that both Garland and Sexton got. There really isn't any substitute for that. It's going to be ugly but it's really the only way we find out how good he can be.

He isn't going to get better from easy lob and dunks that Garland and Mitchell set up for him. He needs the opportunity to bring what he had in college and adapt it to the NBA. It's one of the biggest reasons why I don't think him and Mitchell are on the same timeline. It's just conflicting priorities if we want to build out Mobley's game vs being a contender for Mitchell.

I know you posted about how the 2021-2022 team was more fun to watch, I also think they were better for Mobley's development. There were less expectations and it would have been easier to carve out those opportunities for Mobley. Also Markkanen and Sexton could have covered for the necessary offense needed while Mobley developed and while we waited to find the missing pieces with the assets we had.

Agreed. I love Spida, but the timing was off. To blame Altman is silly, his job is to make shit happen short term. Make no mistake, he is judged based on the next few years or he risks being replaced. He pulled off a masterful trade. However, i dont think our core is a contender. He swung for the fence, and i respect that.

 

[Futuredome]

Not a contender??? Why??? Because Mobley wasn't ready or Garland needs to sand some rough edges???? This board is way out of it right now.

 

[foucault87]

Na. Disagree. Theres rarely been a franchise player who won games solely on defense besides...hmmm... Bill Russel Perhaps? Being a prolific scorer is not only important but it is a requisite to being a superstar in this league. Look at the Top 20 players in league. How many of those dudes are scrubs on offense?

Russell. Walton. Pippen. GP. Thurmond. Artist. There are many. You can do it as a playmaker too. Magic, Nash, Kidd. Scoring is the easiest

Your defensive examples are all old school. And Artest isnt a franchise player. Mobley isnt a playmaker so im not sure where you are going with that. BTW, payton, pippen, magic, nash, kidd were prolific offensive players. I never watched Russel, Walton, or Thurmond. But yes, in the modern NBA, defensive prodigies dont win you rings. Yes, they are a huge component. This is all consistent with my rant.

Ben wallace then. Best player on the 04 pistons. I would also argue for KG on 08 Boston, Timmy in 07 as other players in a similar boat.

The pathway to Mobley being the best player on a championship team is largely similar to a championship roster built around a player like Ben or an older KG. You need someone else to be the perimeter offense guy. We have two of em

 

[CroopZ23]

Russell. Walton. Pippen. GP. Thurmond. Artist. There are many. You can do it as a playmaker too. Magic, Nash, Kidd. Scoring is the easiest
Ben wallace then. Best player on the 04 pistons. I would also argue for KG on 08 Boston, Timmy in 07 as other players in a similar boat.

The pathway to Mobley being the best player on a championship team is largely similar to a championship roster built around a player like Ben or an older KG. You need someone else to be the perimeter offense guy. We have two of em

I respect that. Thanks for a logical response

 

[Jscc]

Again, how does mentioning Pippen suck make a better case for Mobley sucking? Many players who suck one time end up sucking the next time. Going from trash to great is the exception, not the rule.

I didn't bring Pippen up first, but he was in the conversation. So I'm using him.

If Pippen can suck on offense at the same points of his career that Mobley does and then go on to be a great player, there's no reason why Mobley can't either. Their next levels of defensive dominance were also already apparent early on. Mobley just finished as the youngest DPOTY finalist ever.

I'd like to see your evidence for why you think Mobley is never going to improve on offense besides arguments from incredulity.

 

[CroopZ23]

I didn't bring Pippen up first, but he was in the conversation. So I'm using him.

If Pippen can suck on offense at the same points of his career that Mobley does and then go on to be a great player, there's no reason why Mobley can't either. Their next levels of defensive dominance were also already apparent early on. Mobley just finished as the youngest DPOTY finalist ever.

I'd like to see your evidence for why you think Mobley is never going to improve on offense besides arguments from incredulity.

you want me to predict the future man? i cant. i just dont like what ive seen thus far.

 

[godfather]

Ugh, I should have never brought up Pippen. Never serious suggesting his career is heading that way. I just used Pippen as an example. Of saying hey, if Mobley's scoring never becomes great, there's proof of great players in the history of this league, that are still all-time greats.

In no way, was I indicating Mobley is on his way to being an all-time great. Of course I hope he does, but right now, I just want him to get better.

Hopefully be a franchise player. I can't even say he'll be that, I don't know. He's too raw, and he clearly is NOT even an all-star caliber player yet.

I'll just take him taking that next step to becoming an all-star type player first.

He's 21, still very young.

He doesn't come back next year, more improved, I will be a little worried which way his career path is going to go.

I thought he improved this year. Would have I liked to see it improve a little more? Absolutely, but he's still a 'let's wait and see'.

I do think there are things we could do to make it easier on him. And of course, we won't. Let's hope Mobley has what it takes to take it to the next level.

 

[nolookpass]

Man, this video made me think about a lot of things:

• I'll admit: I watched this video looking for evidence that Mobley is a bit clunky on the offensive end, unlike the young KG. I was proven wrong. He looked smooth, fluid, quick, and poised
• His performance was partially enabled through spacing. Notice how most of his buckets came when Allen wasn't on the floor. The floor was spread out, and Mobley was able to operate in the middle. He looked terrible in the Knicks series partially because there was no space. The Knicks packed the paint, and Mobley had no room to operate.
• Notice also how often he had the ball in his hands. I would think this was because of Mitchell not playing that game.
• I know there have been debates about the Mitchell trade, I'm now thinking the lack of touch and shots that Mobley gets due to Mitchell needing the ball might be one of the top reasons against the trade (I think @Human Q-Tip mentioned this previously)
• I was hesitant when the trade first happened because I wasn't sure if Mitchell was that guy, and now I wonder if it'll negatively impact Mobley's development. His FGA stayed at 12 this year, same as his rookie year. Mitchell took 20 FGA per game. It's not just about Mobley's shot attempts, but also about the lack of opportunities to have the ball in his hands, make decisions, etc.
• I've seen many people say that the ceiling of this team probably depends on Mobley, not Mitchell. Well, how can we get Mobley to his peak (and this team's peak) at 12 FGA per game when Mitchell needs to get his as well?
• I don't know what the answer is. Koby's a lot smarter than me, and hopefully he figures this out. Is the answer really to trade Mitchell? Or is it to trade Allen for some much needed shooting so that the space is floored and Mobley can play in the paint whether or not he's ready physically to play the C position full-time? Can the coaching staff be more intentional about getting Mobley more reps?

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I think he needs the amount of touches and in game reps that both Garland and Sexton got. There really isn't any substitute for that. It's going to be ugly but it's really the only way we find out how good he can be.

He isn't going to get better from easy lob and dunks that Garland and Mitchell set up for him. He needs the opportunity to bring what he had in college and adapt it to the NBA. It's one of the biggest reasons why I don't think him and Mitchell are on the same timeline. It's just conflicting priorities if we want to build out Mobley's game vs being a contender for Mitchell.

I know you posted about how the 2021-2022 team was more fun to watch, I also think they were better for Mobley's development. There were less expectations and it would have been easier to carve out those opportunities for Mobley. Also Markkanen and Sexton could have covered for the necessary offense needed while Mobley developed and while we waited to find the missing pieces with the assets we had.

Ultimately what should've happened this year is making it a priority to run more through Mobley on nights when either Garland or Mitchell didn't play. Those were ultimately the chances to get more reps and see what happens. Instead, LeVert took over the duties for Mitchell/Garland and they generally maintained the same style of play.

It might not be an issue of Mitchell and Mobley not being on the same timeline, it might be the fact that we have at least two high-usage ball-dominant guards on the court at the same time means Mobley just doesn't have the opportunities needed to develop. I think that problem still exists even without the trade being made as Garland, LeVert, and Sexton probably present some of the same problems.

 

[CroopZ23]

Man, this video made me think about a lot of things:

• I'll admit: I watched this video looking for evidence that Mobley is a bit clunky on the offensive end, unlike the young KG. I was proven wrong. He looked smooth, fluid, quick, and poised
• His performance was partially enabled through spacing. Notice how most of his buckets came when Allen wasn't on the floor. The floor was spread out, and Mobley was able to operate in the middle. He looked terrible in the Knicks series partially because there was no space. The Knicks packed the paint, and Mobley had no room to operate.
• Notice also how often he had the ball in his hands. I would think this was because of Mitchell not playing that game.
• I know there have been debates about the Mitchell trade, I'm now thinking the lack of touch and shots that Mobley gets due to Mitchell needing the ball might be one of the top reasons against the trade (I think @Human Q-Tip mentioned this previously)
• I was hesitant when the trade first happened because I wasn't sure if Mitchell was that guy, and now I wonder if it'll negatively impact Mobley's development. His FGA stayed at 12 this year, same as his rookie year. Mitchell took 20 FGA per game. It's not just about Mobley's shot attempts, but also about the lack of opportunities to have the ball in his hands, make decisions, etc.
• I've seen many people say that the ceiling of this team probably depends on Mobley, not Mitchell. Well, how can we get Mobley to his peak (and this team's peak) at 12 FGA per game when Mitchell needs to get his as well?
• I don't know what the answer is. Koby's a lot smarter than me, and hopefully he figures this out. Is the answer really to trade Mitchell? Or is it to trade Allen for some much needed shooting so that the space is floored and Mobley can play in the paint whether or not he's ready physically to play the C position full-time? Can the coaching staff be more intentional about getting Mobley more reps?

Nice try man. Lmfao. Thats a fucking highlight video dude. Its not mean to be an accurate way to assess a player. He had like..idk..3-4 30 point games in his career. Every player has these games. They are pros. Anyone remember when JR Bremer hit like 6 threes in lebrons debut? ( this is a test to see whos been watching a long). guess what. that mothafucka ceased to exist a year later. Ricky Davis, Lamond Murray, Sexton- average players who can give you 40-50. Mobley had 38. Vast majority of those buckets were right in the paint. He still sucks on offense. and you wont convice me otherwise.

 

[CroopZ23]

 

[nolookpass]

Nice try man.

What’s with the dismissive attitude? I can have my opinion, you can have yours. Doesn’t mean you have to be condescending