Surging Six: These Cavs are playing great heading into All-Star break
By Dan Gilinsky
![Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/57540868be08e6b354a45f976118faeb16d4a237c2a0c1c3a18cbf0408a1f95a.jpg)
Cavs recent standout No. 2: Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley has been playing at a different level for quite some time now, as he’s dazzled with his two-way abilities. In his last 15 appearances, he’s put up 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest, and has converted on 54.0 percent of his shots.
Mobley’s defensive skill set is so important for what the Wine and Gold want to do on that end of the floor, and in recent weeks, his help and weak side rim protection has been all the more beneficial for the teams’ defense. For a 21-year-old, second-year big, his instincts on the business side of the game can’t be praised enough.
Also, as the season has worn on, Mobley’s assertiveness offensively has paid dividends, and it’s been big-time for him individually, and has given the team offense a different dynamic. His pick-and-roll finishing, post-up touch and footwork and passing have all provided an offensive boost for the Cavaliers, and the mid-range shot creation flashes have to have many salivating about what could be in-store down the road as he refines his game.
What is probably the most noteworthy aspect of Mobley’s overall game, though, is how he finds ways to regularly impact winning as such a young player for the Cavs. Among Cavs players in the last 15 outings, he leads the team in total plus-minus at plus-164.