Cavs: Can Evan Mobley join the legends by making All-Defense Team?

Evan Mobley has been an absolute revelation to start the season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Given his youth and slight frame he was supposed to be a slow-starter as a rookie, the kind of player who is pushed around early but by Year Three has capitalized on his potential and earns a strong rookie extension. NBA GMs didn’t give him a single vote for Rookie of the Year, but voted him most likely to be the best player in this class in five years.

That has not been the case at all for the No. 3 overall pick, as he has played heavy minutes starting for the Cavs. He has been solid offensively, but where he has really shone is on defense. His impact on that end has unlocked lineups for the Cavs, given J.B. Bickerstaff an entire defensive formation to deploy, and helped to spur a strong 3-3 start to the season for Cleveland.

Evan Mobley has had a strong start to the season. How high can his defense take him as a rookie?

The buzz is not just located around Cleveland but has spread throughout the national media as well. He slotted in third on NBA.com’s Rookie Ladder and was the headliner for John Hollinger’s weekly NBA round-up at The Athletic ($$). Nearly every NBA person is writing, talking or at least thinking about Evan Mobley.

If Evan Mobley continues to be this dominant defensively, and perhaps just as importantly continues to be in the national narrative of the season, he has a great chance to make an All-Defense Team at the end of the season. If he does that, he will make history (real, meaningful history) and join some illustrious company. Let’s take a closer look.