After being sidelined from arthroscopic knee surgery since December 15, Cleveland Cavaliers budding star forward Evan Mobley is approaching an early return.
Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor from cleveland.com reported that Mobley could return to the hardwood as early as next week. No definitive date has been set for the 22-year-old star to reemerge, but Mobley's potential early return is the one of the few positive news story for the Cleveland faithful since the season began. In the midst of Tristan Thompson's 25-game suspension and Ty Jerome's ankle surgery, the eventual end to the long-term injury woes is a glimmer of hope as the half-way point of the season has passed.
For Evan Mobley, though, this return is the launch point to prove himself after a rocky start. Mobley's knee had been a growing issue since the offseason, likely contributing to Mobley's underwhelming early season; however, with Mobley's rookie extension approaching the latter half of the season and upcoming postseason will be crucial for his long-term role and position with the Cavaliers. There is n reason to view Mobley as a negative piece for the Cavs, but he is in a spot to change the narrative on his growth when he comes back.
Throughout his 21 games this season, Mobley has averaged 16 points, 1.7 blocks and career highs in both rebounds (10.5) and assists (2.9). His defensive prowess and court vision have shown strides this season, but his scoring and shooting have yet to reach the expectations set before opening night. This has left Mobley with something left to prove to the world in his third season.
Evan Mobley needs to elevate his offensive versatility
Since his arrival in the Association, Mobley has received comparisons to numerous NBA greats. One name has stood out among the rest - Kevin Garnett. Mobley responded positively to the comparison, realizing his potential to fit the same mold as the Boston Celtics legend. Defensively, Mobley's versatile skillset as a weakside defender and interior stopper already mimics much of what carved out Garnett's Hall of Fame career. Offensively, though, the two still differ.
Garnett's prime came during the early 2000's, an era before the eruption of floor spacing bigs and constant three-pointers. Still, Garnett was recognized as a big man who could do exactly that, even at what would be considered low volume in the modern NBA. Additionally, his midrange post work was the crux of his offensive greatness.
As for Mobley, he has shown flashes of the post moves and midrange potential, but he has not fully realized it yet. Given his build and the moments he has shown, Cleveland's star could theoretically reach the same acclaim as KG in time. In his third season, Mobley's scoring still looks eerily identical to his rookie and sophomore seasons. While he is still far from a poor offensive player, his inability to consistently punish defenses from outside of the restricted zone is an undeniable weakness for Mobley.
Coming back from injury, Mobley will initially be on a minutes restriction somewhere within the low-20's per game for some time. When he suits back up and takes the floor, Mobley needs to make every minute on the offensive end count. The new-look Cavs offense has depended heavily on floor spacing, relying on Dean Wade as the starting four in Mobley's place. As much as Mobley adds on defense, he cannot command defensive commitment from the perimeter.
Mobley will not miraculously emerge as a league-leading shooter when he is back. But, he will need to show better efficiency from the midrange to help the Cavaliers maintain their team-oriented offense. Passing has shown major improvement for Mobley this year, meaning he will still enhance the ball rotation and selfless nature. He will be low on the pecking order behind Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, meaning Mobley will have to efficiently take advantage of his touches upon return.
Secondly, Mobley needs to up his efficiency and then maintain it week-to-week.
The Cavaliers need Evan Mobley to raise the bar in the playoffs
After the age of superteams has passed in the NBA, overall parity has taken hold. No playoff matchup will be a cake walk for the Cavaliers, but they cannot afford another postseason humiliation after last year's decimation to the New York Knicks.
The most obvious reason the Cavs cannot allow themselves to shy away from the playoffs is Donovan Mitchell's looming extension and the consequences following his decisions. In truth, though, nobody in Cleveland elevated themselves in the playoffs last season, including Mitchell. While Mitchell was imperfect, it does not negate the need for Mobley to establish himself as a playoff performer.
After averaging 16.2 points efficiently last regular season, Mobley's scoring nearly halved to 9.8 points on 45.8 percent from the field in the five-game series with New York. It was his first experience in the playoffs, and the Knicks were clearly positioned to benefit from the Cavs' lack of postseason experience in both the roster and coaching staff. Additionally, the Knicks' physical play may have received exponentially more foul calls in a regular season match, but the playoffs are an entirely different beast that Mobley had not prepared to overcome.
In his second opportunity, the Cavaliers are in better shape to win a seven-game series. With Max Strus and Georges Niang offering veteran playoff leadership and improved floor spacing, Mobley will play alongside a supporting cast that complements his upsides and covers his downsides. Upon his return, Mobley will need to spend the rest of the season refining himself for the postseason.
One element that was a struggle for Mobley against New York was rebounding, especially on the offensive boards. To his credit, Mobley has steadily grown as an offensive rebounder this year, averaging 2.7, placing him in the top 20 in the NBA for that statistic. His frontcourt running mate Jarrett Allen ranks fifth overall at 3.5, suggesting the Cavaliers will be more competitive in rebounding this time.
Even though Evan Mobley is not an era-defining superstar for the Cleveland Cavaliers in his third year, he has shown true improvement this season. Some development has been marginal, but Mobley still has plenty of time to prove that he can reach his ceiling. He has shown he can elevate, making the prospects of what Evan Mobley's prime will be limitless.