I think someone is confusing the Mobley family with the Ball family. Eric Mobley seems to have a much better sense of where Isaiah stands than LaVar Mobley did about LiAngelo (and even LiAngelo was signed and then cut by the Hornets without LaMelo or his dad throwing a fit or it affecting LaMelo's play).
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Isaiah Mobley: 2023 SL MVP
- Thread starter thegodfather
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Nphan
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Imagine
Garland, Ochai, I. Mobley, E. Mobley, and Allen
That's the future right there.
Nphan
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He will be better than all of them
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Wasserman, B/R: Unranked (top-50 cutoff)
Woo, SI: 86th
Vecenie, Athletic: 41st
STRENGTHS
Older brother of Cleveland Cavalier Evan Mobley, Isaiah is a post-hype big man who has emerged over the last year and a half
as a legitimate NBA prospect. He was a McDonald’s All-American in 2019, but it took him a minute to establish himself in college.
In 2020-21, he was terrific in the back half of the season with his brother. This past season, he emerged as a terrific all-around
player and USC’s centerpiece. Earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and led USC to the NCAA Tournament.
Good size for the NBA four position, but I also think he could slide to the five at times with his 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot
standing reach. Moves his feet better than he gets credit for and has a terrific feel for the game. A big whose game really makes
sense for the NBA.
I like Mobley most on defense, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given his brother, but that hasn’t always been Isaiah’s rep.
He switches well across the wing and big positions while also being an extremely effective post defender with his relative
lower-body strength. Uses his intersection of fluid feet and quickness well across the frontcourt on this end. I wouldn’t say he’s
a switchable guy onto ones and twos, but I think he does a good job of holding up where he can and using angles to marginally
affect them at times. At the rim, he’s not really a shot blocker, but he’s very effective as a rim protector in similar ways to
Al Horford. Knows how to use his strength and chest to get into a player’s body without fouling. His wingspan gives him the
ability to contest, despite the wingspan not being overly enormous.
Offensively, you can see how Mobley came up as more of a point forward when he was a McDonald’s All-American. Had some
terrific grab-and-go moments where he essentially was a lead option for USC. Throws some awesome passes to teammates. Can
throw them on the move and throw anticipatory reads that get his players open. Hits cross-corner skips out of both short rolls
and post-ups already. I love him out of short rolls, a readily applicable skill to how NBA teams would use him. He can dribble a
few times to bring the defender toward him to open angles. He also can process quickly and throw nice touch passes. Loves the
overhead pass to his man in the dunker spot. Dished out 3.3 assists per game while posting a near 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio
as USC’s primary option.
Good in grab-and-go situations if a smaller defender or if no one picks him up as a scorer. Can drive and finish quickly. Mobley
also is a good finisher with touch around the basket. Made 61.7 percent of his shots at the basket. I buy Mobley as a shooter.
He has a funky follow-through, but everything else is pretty good. His shot prep is terrific. Gets into his rhythm off the hop and
almost always is ready to fire upon the catch. Really elevates into it. Extremely clean, high release with a high finish on the shot.
Legit pick-and-pop and real spot-up threat. Makes them off quick movement when popping to the perimeter. You can tell he
has extreme confidence shooting from 3.
WEAKNESSES
Not a superb athlete. Could struggle with the adjustment up to playing actual, NBA-level length. Not an explosive leaper, which
could hinder him as a rim protector. Doesn’t have a ton of burst laterally or in terms of first step
That lack of athleticism will really slow him down as a creator. Has difficulty separating from his man. Going to make it really
tough for him to drive and collapse defenders. Good at doing it when he’s in short rolls, because he already has the four-on-three
advantage when teams put two players on the ball but won’t be able to create that advantage for himself. Ends up settling for a
bunch of tougher push shots and mini-hooks because he can’t get around anyone and get a clean runway toward the rim. Even
when he does, opposing defenders won’t have much of an issue recovering against him. Shot creation won’t be his game in the
NBA, but I’m not sure he needs it to be successful.
Defensively, will that lack of athleticism hurt him in space? Has a chance to get cooked by guards because of his lateral
quickness. Takes good angles on the ball to be able to minimize it, but those angles are even tougher to manage in the NBA
when the court is a bit more spread. Additionally, I do think he left a few too many opportunities as a help-side rim protector
wanting. Doesn’t always rotate, possibly out of a desire to stay out of foul trouble due to USC needing him, but he also seems to
react late occasionally from time to time. Can he be good enough? He could end up, physically, between being a drop-coverage
big and a switch big; he’s not quick enough to slide with guards and not good enough as a rim protector to play in drops.
SUMMARY
I would imagine Mobley is one of the players I most diverge from consensus. I buy him as an interesting, potential-guarantee
guy because of the way his game could translate to what the NBA looks for from modern bigs. He’s a killer passer out of short
rolls, and he can shoot, which already gives him an enormous leg up on a lot of bigs in today’s NBA. He has good defensive
awareness for the most part and can slide his feet at a really high level, in addition to his 7-foot-3 wingspan. He might not have
the athletic tools to play in the NBA, but I’d be willing to pay with a second-round pick to find out if he got into the 45 to 55 range.
I’m something of a believer in Mobley.
Hollinger: 63rd
I’m a sucker for bigs who can pass because I’m willing to bet their feel level wins out over other limitations. Mobley isn’t nearly as talented as his more famous younger brother, but his 5.8 dimes per 100 possessions and nearly 2:1 assist-turnover rate jump off the page for a college big man. The tape shows several advanced deliveries in the mix, hinting at usefulness off the elbows and, perhaps, above the arc if his nascent 3-point game keeps developing.
Mobley will need to take advantage of the same ability to read the game on the other end, where he was a subpar rebounder even for a college five and a limited rim protector. Between that and his blah athleticism, we’re probably talking about backup five upside, but there are worse two-way gambles you could take.
ESPN: 88th
The older brother of franchise player Evan Mobley, Isaiah proved to be a very good player in his own right throughout his decorated high school career and in three seasons at USC, one of which he spent in a twin-tower duo with Evan. Isaiah's 7-3 wingspan and outstanding instincts made him one of the most formidable defenders in the Pac-12 last season, while converting 36% of his 3-pointers and showing excellent passing ability. His lack of speed and explosiveness kept his draft stock grounded for much of his college career, but his outspoken, gregarious personality has long made him a favorite of coaching staffs, and his ability to keep his younger brother happy, focused and operating at maximum aggressiveness and intensity could make this a very shrewd pick down the line. -- Jonathan Givony
---
It's a bit ironic to me that much of the discussion leading up to the draft, perhaps pre-Combine and during the collegiate season, many broached the possibility of snagging the elder Mobley in the 2nd round... At one point, it seemed liked a foregone conclusion... Fast forward to now, and taking him 49th while passing on the likes of Tyrese Martin, JD Davison, Jabari Walker and a bunch of draft-and-stash's and it seemingly raises an eyebrow -- I don't get it..
Was it a bit of a reach? Maybe, but what you get at 49th in any draft is likely to be a guy some people have ranked as a 2nd round pick and some don't have as a 2nd round pick at all... Once you reach the 2nd round, especially the late 2nd round, the rankings have a high point of variability and some of the draft picks are chosen based on roster flexibility as well rather than actual NBA talent..
Keeping your superstar happy is never an issue, especially if it's at the expense of the 49th pick, but even with that, we're talking about a former top-20 recruit, was All-Pac 12 this previous season, and put up 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks with consistent range from beyond the arc... Mobley was a decent prospect in his own right, and likely would have earned a two-way contract this year somewhere else if it wasn't with the Cavs -- they just happened to guarantee it by picking him, which he has more value to the Cavs than any other team in the league..
I'm intrigued with Mobley due to his unique skillset at his size: he can shoot, pass, rebound and displays a good understanding of the game.. Other collegiate forwards/centers that put up seasons of 14+ pts, 8+ rebs, 3+ asts on 35+ 3P% include Ryan Gomes, Jamal Mashburn, Draymond Green, and Jared Dudley.. There's also duds on the list but that statline has only been registered 15 times by a NCAA forward/center since 1992-1993..
He's a good fit as a 5th big man moving forward due to his skill and versatility, and would compliment the other Mobley well in some lineups too..
Woo, SI: 86th
Vecenie, Athletic: 41st
STRENGTHS
Older brother of Cleveland Cavalier Evan Mobley, Isaiah is a post-hype big man who has emerged over the last year and a half
as a legitimate NBA prospect. He was a McDonald’s All-American in 2019, but it took him a minute to establish himself in college.
In 2020-21, he was terrific in the back half of the season with his brother. This past season, he emerged as a terrific all-around
player and USC’s centerpiece. Earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and led USC to the NCAA Tournament.
Good size for the NBA four position, but I also think he could slide to the five at times with his 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot
standing reach. Moves his feet better than he gets credit for and has a terrific feel for the game. A big whose game really makes
sense for the NBA.
I like Mobley most on defense, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given his brother, but that hasn’t always been Isaiah’s rep.
He switches well across the wing and big positions while also being an extremely effective post defender with his relative
lower-body strength. Uses his intersection of fluid feet and quickness well across the frontcourt on this end. I wouldn’t say he’s
a switchable guy onto ones and twos, but I think he does a good job of holding up where he can and using angles to marginally
affect them at times. At the rim, he’s not really a shot blocker, but he’s very effective as a rim protector in similar ways to
Al Horford. Knows how to use his strength and chest to get into a player’s body without fouling. His wingspan gives him the
ability to contest, despite the wingspan not being overly enormous.
Offensively, you can see how Mobley came up as more of a point forward when he was a McDonald’s All-American. Had some
terrific grab-and-go moments where he essentially was a lead option for USC. Throws some awesome passes to teammates. Can
throw them on the move and throw anticipatory reads that get his players open. Hits cross-corner skips out of both short rolls
and post-ups already. I love him out of short rolls, a readily applicable skill to how NBA teams would use him. He can dribble a
few times to bring the defender toward him to open angles. He also can process quickly and throw nice touch passes. Loves the
overhead pass to his man in the dunker spot. Dished out 3.3 assists per game while posting a near 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio
as USC’s primary option.
Good in grab-and-go situations if a smaller defender or if no one picks him up as a scorer. Can drive and finish quickly. Mobley
also is a good finisher with touch around the basket. Made 61.7 percent of his shots at the basket. I buy Mobley as a shooter.
He has a funky follow-through, but everything else is pretty good. His shot prep is terrific. Gets into his rhythm off the hop and
almost always is ready to fire upon the catch. Really elevates into it. Extremely clean, high release with a high finish on the shot.
Legit pick-and-pop and real spot-up threat. Makes them off quick movement when popping to the perimeter. You can tell he
has extreme confidence shooting from 3.
WEAKNESSES
Not a superb athlete. Could struggle with the adjustment up to playing actual, NBA-level length. Not an explosive leaper, which
could hinder him as a rim protector. Doesn’t have a ton of burst laterally or in terms of first step
That lack of athleticism will really slow him down as a creator. Has difficulty separating from his man. Going to make it really
tough for him to drive and collapse defenders. Good at doing it when he’s in short rolls, because he already has the four-on-three
advantage when teams put two players on the ball but won’t be able to create that advantage for himself. Ends up settling for a
bunch of tougher push shots and mini-hooks because he can’t get around anyone and get a clean runway toward the rim. Even
when he does, opposing defenders won’t have much of an issue recovering against him. Shot creation won’t be his game in the
NBA, but I’m not sure he needs it to be successful.
Defensively, will that lack of athleticism hurt him in space? Has a chance to get cooked by guards because of his lateral
quickness. Takes good angles on the ball to be able to minimize it, but those angles are even tougher to manage in the NBA
when the court is a bit more spread. Additionally, I do think he left a few too many opportunities as a help-side rim protector
wanting. Doesn’t always rotate, possibly out of a desire to stay out of foul trouble due to USC needing him, but he also seems to
react late occasionally from time to time. Can he be good enough? He could end up, physically, between being a drop-coverage
big and a switch big; he’s not quick enough to slide with guards and not good enough as a rim protector to play in drops.
SUMMARY
I would imagine Mobley is one of the players I most diverge from consensus. I buy him as an interesting, potential-guarantee
guy because of the way his game could translate to what the NBA looks for from modern bigs. He’s a killer passer out of short
rolls, and he can shoot, which already gives him an enormous leg up on a lot of bigs in today’s NBA. He has good defensive
awareness for the most part and can slide his feet at a really high level, in addition to his 7-foot-3 wingspan. He might not have
the athletic tools to play in the NBA, but I’d be willing to pay with a second-round pick to find out if he got into the 45 to 55 range.
I’m something of a believer in Mobley.
Hollinger: 63rd
I’m a sucker for bigs who can pass because I’m willing to bet their feel level wins out over other limitations. Mobley isn’t nearly as talented as his more famous younger brother, but his 5.8 dimes per 100 possessions and nearly 2:1 assist-turnover rate jump off the page for a college big man. The tape shows several advanced deliveries in the mix, hinting at usefulness off the elbows and, perhaps, above the arc if his nascent 3-point game keeps developing.
Mobley will need to take advantage of the same ability to read the game on the other end, where he was a subpar rebounder even for a college five and a limited rim protector. Between that and his blah athleticism, we’re probably talking about backup five upside, but there are worse two-way gambles you could take.
ESPN: 88th
The older brother of franchise player Evan Mobley, Isaiah proved to be a very good player in his own right throughout his decorated high school career and in three seasons at USC, one of which he spent in a twin-tower duo with Evan. Isaiah's 7-3 wingspan and outstanding instincts made him one of the most formidable defenders in the Pac-12 last season, while converting 36% of his 3-pointers and showing excellent passing ability. His lack of speed and explosiveness kept his draft stock grounded for much of his college career, but his outspoken, gregarious personality has long made him a favorite of coaching staffs, and his ability to keep his younger brother happy, focused and operating at maximum aggressiveness and intensity could make this a very shrewd pick down the line. -- Jonathan Givony
---
It's a bit ironic to me that much of the discussion leading up to the draft, perhaps pre-Combine and during the collegiate season, many broached the possibility of snagging the elder Mobley in the 2nd round... At one point, it seemed liked a foregone conclusion... Fast forward to now, and taking him 49th while passing on the likes of Tyrese Martin, JD Davison, Jabari Walker and a bunch of draft-and-stash's and it seemingly raises an eyebrow -- I don't get it..
Was it a bit of a reach? Maybe, but what you get at 49th in any draft is likely to be a guy some people have ranked as a 2nd round pick and some don't have as a 2nd round pick at all... Once you reach the 2nd round, especially the late 2nd round, the rankings have a high point of variability and some of the draft picks are chosen based on roster flexibility as well rather than actual NBA talent..
Keeping your superstar happy is never an issue, especially if it's at the expense of the 49th pick, but even with that, we're talking about a former top-20 recruit, was All-Pac 12 this previous season, and put up 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks with consistent range from beyond the arc... Mobley was a decent prospect in his own right, and likely would have earned a two-way contract this year somewhere else if it wasn't with the Cavs -- they just happened to guarantee it by picking him, which he has more value to the Cavs than any other team in the league..
I'm intrigued with Mobley due to his unique skillset at his size: he can shoot, pass, rebound and displays a good understanding of the game.. Other collegiate forwards/centers that put up seasons of 14+ pts, 8+ rebs, 3+ asts on 35+ 3P% include Ryan Gomes, Jamal Mashburn, Draymond Green, and Jared Dudley.. There's also duds on the list but that statline has only been registered 15 times by a NCAA forward/center since 1992-1993..
He's a good fit as a 5th big man moving forward due to his skill and versatility, and would compliment the other Mobley well in some lineups too..
daytripper
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Wouldn't surprise me if he struggled a bit his first season of pro ball similar to what happened at USC. Might need a red shirt season in the G League which is another reason he gets drafted later in the 2nd round. Obviously not nearly as athletic as Evan but has some nice skills which really started to get unlocked during the one season they played together in college. His best attribute may be his passing ability and is a pretty good rim protector too. Hate to put any prospect in a box but think he potentially could be the type that lasts in the league for 8-10 years as a 4th big.
dark2332
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His playmaking really is special for a big man. His assist percentages are in line with what Al Horford put up in college at Florida, but with lower turnover rates. Horford was a lottery pick and has been a cusp All Star throughout the years, but Mobley was a McDonald's All American for a reason. His strengths aren't a mirage or luck.
If he can become a more consistent shooter, he is a viable stretch big in a few years.
adam81king
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But folks keep saying he's a borderline NBA player on a wasted pick just to cowtow to his brother...
Lee
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Lee
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He really is a borderline NBA player.
But anyone that falls to the 2nd round is a borderline NBA player. It doesnt matter if t was to cowtow to his brother or not, its a fucking 2nd round pick. If he works out, great, if not, good kid, worth the risk of a late 2nd to try. Really just 1.5 million to buy the pick of not our money.
Ohioplayer00
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“But anyone that falls to the 2nd round is a borderline NBA player. It doesnt matter if t was to cowtow to his brother or not, its a fucking 2nd round pick!”
DON’T TELL MARK PRICE THAT
!!!!
DON’T TELL MARK PRICE THAT
!!!!“But anyone that falls to the 2nd round is a borderline NBA player. It doesnt matter if t was to cowtow to his brother or not, its a fucking 2nd round pick!”
DON’T TELL MARK PRICE THAT
To be fair. Mark Price was picked 25th overall which is a first rounder in today's NBA.