3 reasons Cavs fans should be optimistic about the 2022-23 season

Reason No. 3 to be optimistic: Mobley

There’s more to the success of any team than just one player but for the Cavs, we have to take a moment to appreciate what Evan Mobley has provided to this new Cavs team. As I’ve mentioned in the past, this team was still playing in the shadow of LeBron. Now they are out of his shadow, because of Evan Mobley.

Like James, Mobley can have that same effect on his team’s future. No, Mobley doesn’t play the game like James but what he controls on the court has a huge effect on his team now. Mobley’s a rim protector and plays wing-like defense on the perimeter. His innate abilities on that side of the ball are phenomenal.

His progressions on the offensive side of the ball were impressive as well. He wasn’t afraid to take shots, difficult ones too, and learned to be more and more aggressive going downhill at the basket. All these parts of his offensive game will improve a lot this next season.

He will get physically stronger and will become an even more dominating player. Forget Rookie of the Year, Mobley will be going for MVP of the NBA and vying for first and second-team All-NBA honors in the very near future, in my estimation.

Understanding how important Mobley was and will be to this Cavaliers team can’t be underestimated. If he stays healthy next season this team will be in the playoffs and should be challenging teams like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers for that top spot in the Eastern Conference.