Where does Cavs rookie Evan Mobley stand in the DPOY race?

Theoretically yes, but probably not

I’m going to come out with a bold statement and predict that at some point during his career, Mobley will win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, just not this year.

Even though he’s been outstanding as a rookie, the league prefers to give it’s awards to guys who have been in the league a bit longer. On top of that, yes Mobley’s stats have been great, and the ceiling for him on defense is scary good, but this year he probably doesn’t deserve it.

He deserves consideration, but with what some guys like Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert do for their teams, he just isn’t on that level yet.

He will get there though. So all I have to say is be patient Cavalier fans. Be patient and just enjoy this season, since the Cavs are playing with sort-of house money throughout the rest of the season.

I would expect Jarrett Allen to get more consideration for the DPOY and All-Defense First Team, but with Evan already planting his name amongst those guys as a rookie, it wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever is some of next year’s preseason predictions feature Mobley as the Defensive Player of the Year.

He’s that good already.