Evan Mobley’s development in this area for Cavs may be going unnoticed

Throughout the second half of the season, Evan Mobley stepped it up on the offensive end of the floor to mesh with his outstanding defense. The traditional stats have largely been similar for him compared to his rookie campaign, in which he was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year, and that’s been plenty fine.

On the season, Mobley has had a bit more robust 16.2 points per outing, with his average last year at 15.0. But, he’s been more efficient as this season has worn on, and in his second year, his true shooting rate has been 58.8 percent, an increase from 2021-22, in which it was 54.9 percent.

Mobley seemingly had a tougher go of it early on this season offensively, and with Donovan Mitchell brought aboard last offseason, it was not too surprising to have seen Mobley take some time to get it going, per se. Even still, there were a number of quality offensive performances from Mobley, it just appeared he needed to be more assertive.

Since the turn of the calendar to 2023, upon being more aggressive it’s seemed, the second-year big man has seen in uptick in offensive production. From Jan. 4-on, he’s had 17.8 points per contest on 54.4 percent shooting in 35 outings.

Mobley being more assertive has paid off for his offensive splits, as he’s been getting to his spots for quality looks, made plays out of the mid-post, take advantage of mismatches, and he’s been able to use his length to knock down push shots and fadeaways. His passing growth has been another positive for his offense, too, as has his finishing as a cutter with touch and urgency.

One area of his offensive development that seems to be somewhat underappreciated as the year has worn on might be his viability as a roll big, though. He should only improve in that aspect of his game as well.

Mobley’s rolling development for the Cavs may be going unnoticed.

Mobley came into this season stronger, and that’s helped him throughout this season, such as with his interior defense, and despite him not being Jarrett Allen as a screener, he has fared better in that area in Year 2.

He was assuredly a legitimate lob threat last season, but he’s been more of an impact roller this year, with more functional strength making a difference, and his timing has improved, as has him availing himself more consistently as a roller/diving threat.

Mobley’s not been elite in terms of roll man efficiency, with him grading out in the 45th percentile there this season, per Synergy Sports. However, he placed in the 22nd percentile last season in that play type (per Synergy) and he has steadily gotten better in that aspect of his offensive game in Year 2, as his two-man game with Darius Garland has taken another step forward, as has that dynamic with Caris LeVert.

Assuredly Mobley’s benefitted from Allen’s presence for help as a roller/lob threat, but Mobley has been more effective as the season has worn on at capitalizing after setting screens, and whether it’s converting against favorable matchups, or his passing out of the short roll, his decision-making has been great.

Mobley appears to be comfortable in 4-on-3 situations, and as he gains more experience there, whether he’s at the 4 or 5, he’ll continue to improve as a quick decision-maker and playmaker. He’s exhibited that he can make a variety of passes in those scenarios, and generally, as an off-ball finisher, he’s shown assertiveness to take and can push shots, which plays well into those situations.

Now, it’d open up his offensive game far more if Mobley can show viability as a stretch and/or pick-and-pop big, clearly, and his roll man game could hit another level.

As this season progressed, though, he has made promising strides as a roller, and as he begins to enter his prime, he should become more refined there.