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Ranking all 32 players in tonight’s Cavs vs Lakers game

By Josh Cornelissen

Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers and Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers and Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /
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Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images /

Ranking all 32 players in Cavs vs Lakers: The Stars

The final six players are all stars, ranging from those in All-Star consideration to those pushing for an MVP case.

6. Evan Mobley, Big, CLE – The offensive progress is slower than some hoped, but the defense is incredible. Mobley can defend on the perimeter, rotate inside and is a huge issue at the rim. Offensively he can handle in transition and make moves inside the arc, he just needs to improve the shot to become a true two-way force.

5. Jarrett Allen, Center, CLE – Looking for a traditional center ready for the modern game? That’s Allen, who doesn’t shoot from outside or handle like a point guard but is elite at the traditional center tasks. He’s one of the league’s best rim protectors, sets bone-crushing screens and elevates for lobs. He is a force on the offensive glass. Finally, unlike some relics of the recent past, his foot speed on the perimeter makes him a problem even in space.

4. Darius Garland, Guard, CLE – Despite playing alongside an All-NBA guard in Donovan Mitchell, who accordingly has the ball a lot of the time, Garland ranks fifth in the league in assists per game as he conducts the offense and is adept at finding teammates inside of tight windows. He can shoot off-the-catch and off-the-dribble and when asked to be “the guy” he can elevate a team all by himself. With an elite running mate, he is truly deadly.

3. Donovan Mitchell, Guard, CLE – There were questions about how effective Mitchell would be away from the Jazz, and they have been answered resoundingly. Mitchell is a fringe MVP candidate, excelling no matter who is out of the lineup. He’s top-10 in points per game, third in 3-point makes and has been something closer to average on defense. He’s been everything the Cavs hoped for.

2. LeBron James, Forward, LAL – LeBron James might be a better player than Anthony Davis, but we’re giving the big man a slight recency bump and James a slight downgrade because he has been a clear step slower this season. His true shooting is the worst it has been since his rookie season.

1. Anthony Davis, Big, LAL – The former Pelicans star is healthy, a true rarity for the brittle big, and is playing center full time. He has been dominant the past two weeks, averaging 35 points per game and carrying the Lakers to a respectable record (albeit against a light schedule). He is a defensive monster and his shot is falling, making him truly dangerous.