Cavs: Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Allen rightfully give Evan Mobley his flowers

What else is there to really say about Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley?

The USC product has been everything one would’ve anticipated and more for Cleveland early on in his first year, and one can see why he led the Trojans to an elusive Elite Eight appearance last collegiate season.

It is still at the very outset of his NBA career, sure, but the 20-year-old has delivered in a big way for the Cavaliers. Through 11 contests, Mobley has had 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per outing, and he looks to be a superstar in the making.

Mobley has gotten his praise from Cavs fans, NBA fans in general it appears, and countless members of the local and even national media, which has been awesome.

There have and will still be some bumps in the road, which is natural for a young big; even still, it’s largely been rock solid play from the rookie. And after he had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists at the New York Knicks on Sunday, and was making things happen defensively, his teammates, most notably Ricky Rubio and Jarrett Allen, didn’t hold back regarding how impressed they were and have been.

Rubio, who had an otherworldly performance in his own right with a career-high 37 points and 10 assists, was beyond complimentary of Mobley postgame in media availability, which was no small deal, as relayed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

"“He’s special and he will be special,” Rubio said of Mobley. “We don’t even know how (high) his potential can be.”"

Here was more on Allen’s praise of the rook, via the Cavs.

Rubio and Allen were on the money with the Mobley praise here, and while it’s early, the youngster deserves his flowers.

That performance from Mobley in his first time playing at MSG was terrific, as the dude went 11-for-15, and his passing skills, which we’ve seen plenty of thus far, were on display at crucial moments throughout that game.

Going off what Rubio and Allen said, both were on-point in highlighting how this young big appears to be beyond his years in terms of his basketball IQ, and although the shot needs to develop further, that will be there at a respectable level off-ball I believe in time.

For now, his two-way impact has been invaluable for this Wine and Gold team, especially as a passer, as a finisher, and one can’t oversell his defensive prowess.

Mobley has led the league in contested shots per game, per NBA.com’s hustle data, and has had 1.3 blocks per outing. He’s been a key reason why the Cavaliers have been sixth in opponent shooting percentage in the restricted area thus far, too, per NBA.com’s tracking data.

Mobley’s switchout abilities defensively when needed and him being effective at times throughout contests even at the top of a 3-2 zone has been big for Cleveland as well, and I’d expect the Cavs to utilize that in spurts in games, with his length and team sense.

Granted, it hurts immensely that the Cavs, regarding the offensive end more so, and in the transition game, won’t have Collin Sexton for an extended period. If he needs surgery, that’d be it for his season, additionally, given the news involving him tearing his meniscus. But with guys such as Mobley and the group hopefully being able to move the ball effectively, mixed in with sound defense and getting enough from the bench, they can potentially manage sans Sexton.

In any case, it is great for the Cavaliers, on the plus side, that they appear to have a superstar in the making in their organization in Mobley, who seems to be getting progressively better as he becomes more comfortable.

Rubio and Allen were on the mark in giving the rook his flowers, and hopefully he builds on his successes.