In short, Evan Mobley will make everyone in the NBA understand this: All-out brilliant defensive guarding is not a joke for anyone at any time during the year. He just bagged the award for NBA Defensive Player of the Year the way it should be. The dude was a straight menace out there, with shot-blocking, cutting off drivers, and just making life hell for anyone who cared to confront him in the paint.
Cleveland is cooking something, with Mobley coming up massively in its defense scheme. At very tender 22, he plays like ten-year veteran: “reading” offenses like some damn playbook and responding then and there, just before most guards can think about driving. All along length, instinct, and relentless hustle, Mobley has been a nightmare of a mismatch throughout this season. And now-the league acknowledges that.
The best part about Mobley is that he was never even the frontrunner. There was all this noise surrounding either Gobert or Adebayo, but Mobley just quietly mounted one of the most insane defensive campaigns imaginable in recent memory. He did more than just block shots (of which he did plenty). Mobley switched onto guards, disrupted passing lanes, and even held up against bigger centers. Versatile? Hell, yes. Impact? Hell, yes.
Mobley was the engine for the Cavs, whose turnaround in defense was the best this year. With Jarrett Allen cleaning the boards and Darius Garland hounding ballhandlers, the Cavs surely were a painful D to go up against. But Mobley was the glue. He made it work. And he deserves the hardware to show it.
What’s next? Well, it is safe to say that Mobley is just getting started if the last campaign is anything to go by. The Cavs are legit East contenders and, with that stellar nucleus locked in, their future sure is bright. And as for the rest of the league? Best of luck getting one past him. Because he’s no longer just a rising star- he’s arrived.
And wouldn’t it be funny if, next season, Mobley started putting in work on the offensive end? The league might genuinely be in trouble. But, for now, Radar’s in on the defense. Congrats to the young king. The DPOY trophy certainly is in good hands.
Well, for those who didn’t stay tuned for Evan Mobley’s highlights this year, tune in and catch some tape. Dude was 2K-create-a-player level with maxed-out defensive stats. That’s a total cheat code right there.
So yeah, Evan Mobley-DPOY. Fits right. Sounds right. Because it is right. And, moving on-who’s next?
