Cavs: Evan Mobley ascends to top spot in latest Kia Rookie Ladder
How will the absence of Collin Sexton affect Mobley?
This is a very difficult question to answer, considering both Collin Sexton and Mobley are huge parts of the organization. However, I honestly don’t think Mobley will be affected all that much.
His ability to go one-on-one with a defender doesn’t make the drive-and-kick game his only way to score. On top of that, Mobley has already shown us that he’s a capable three-point shooter when relatively open, and he knows his way around the rim. Even though he didn’t completely outplay Barnes against the Raptors, in the other games on the Cavs’ winning streak, he’s been incredible. Since beating the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 1, the Cavs had won three straight over the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, and the New York Knicks before losing narrowly to the Washington Wizards yesterday.
And against the Knicks on Sunday, Mobley had his best game of his young career. He posted a career-high 26 points, and tacked on nine rebounds and five assists. While Mobley won’t get as many easy lobs or shots with Sexton out for an extended period, it should only help him grow in the weaker areas of his game.
The scariest part about Mobley is that he’s even better on the defensive end of the floor. Let’s be honest, we all know Collin Sexton isn’t the best defender, but he puts in effort. By doing that, he often lets guys get past him, but he has Mobley and Jarrett Allen waiting on the opponent at the rim. So, other than missing out on a couple of blocks by way of an opponent who got by Sexton, there should be no real change in his defensive game. Unfortunately for all of us Cavs fans, the Sexton injury news was pretty shocking.
I’ve never been a huge fan of him, but the team was on their way to winning their fourth straight game when he left with his injury. So right now, yes it does suck. But in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t all that bad, considering it will only force Mobley to learn more on the fly.