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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Even though he’s 7 feet tall, Evan Mobley Can Do Graceful Backflips Like Simone Biles. If Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman had that athleticism, fluidity and flexibility, he would have performed the same celebratory maneuver, happily exiting the team headquarters late Thursday night.
And who would have blamed him? The Cavs finally have the backbone of their rebuilding.
“We have been able to recruit transformative talent, whose versatility, athleticism and physical gifts are qualities that we covet in a player. Evan Mobley ticks each of those boxes, ”Altman said. “We are committed to building a sustainable and winning culture in Cleveland and we couldn’t be more excited to have Evan be a part of our future.”
After three years of frustrating ping-pong ball bounces that kept them on the outskirts of the top tier, Cleveland’s lottery luck returned, propelling them into the No.3 pick in a stacked draft.
Ecstasy was evident on June 22.
It grew even stronger throughout the pre-draft process, as the team’s recruiting staff digged deeper – statistical breakdowns, movie showings, interviews, background checks.
Taking third place, the Cavs were in the catbird seat. League-wide commercial interest started about five weeks ago and the phone has never stopped ringing. It has created some exciting possibilities. Grandiose visions of the reconstruction of the roster. Only for decision makers in Cleveland, this sentiment has never been linked to a huge potential trade package. Rather, it was an opportunity to add one of three prized prospects – Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green or Mobley – to this young, still developing and exciting core.
On Thursday night, the euphoria peaked when Altman ignored last-second offers and called the league office.
Evan. Mobley.
Although the Cavs didn’t get a chance to speak to him until Thursday night – a choice Mobley’s reps made to only meet Detroit – they knew he was their guy, having an idea earlier in the game. day the Pistons would take Cunningham and Green was bound for Houston. The Cavs were in awe of what they saw on the film, at times left speechless or giggling in amazement. They were comfortable with collecting information and intelligence. They got to know his family, former teammates and coaches, learning all about his character. Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff gave his blessing, already imagining the endless possibilities for roster and use.
“This year is unique. It’s our job to navigate and make the right decision for the franchise, ”said Altman. “We always felt like we had enough information to feel comfortable doing it even though he didn’t come to Cleveland to train.”
As soon as the third pick was made and the Cavs were officially off duty, Altman stood up and shared a moment with scouting director Brandon Weems, assistant general manager Mike Gansey, who is leading the front-line drafting process. office, and Bickerstaff. There was finally a reward for those 50 losses – and a disheartening meltdown at the end of the season. Although tempted by some offers, the Cavs were not going to let this chance pass.
“We had to go through the process. The deals were getting more and more attractive, but in those deals there was no Evan Mobley, ”Altman said. “When you have the ability to recruit that level of talent, that versatile 7-foot two-way player who has immense potential, that’s what you take. “
It’s their Luka. Their Traé. Their Zion. Their Ja. Their LaMelo. All of the trajectory-altering players the Cavs weren’t able to write in the past three years.
It’s not a hit against Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, or Isaac Okoro, considered a staple piece trio – unless an opposing team encounters Cleveland’s hefty price tag in a Sexton trade.
Sexton, who just turned 22, placed 18th in scoring last season and was part of the Eastern Conference All-Star conversation. Garland had a second breakout campaign, receiving three Most Improved Player votes and an invitation to the USA Basketball selection team. Okoro was named Second Team All-Rookie and Larry Nance Jr., who watched Okoro work his tail this summer, believes the fiery, defensive youngster has the potential to be one of the best players in the 2020 draft class.
Who am I to argue with Nance?
That bold prediction aside, it’s hard to imagine any of the three becoming the Cleveland franchise guy. The same goes for Jarrett Allen, the restricted free agent center who arrived in January from Brooklyn and was immediately called a center of the future.
Mobley, on the other hand …
It is a 7 footer with guarding skills. A large modern all-rounder at both ends of the floor with incredible defensive versatility, movement skills and arms that extend to the rafters. He can play 4 or 5. Due to his skills, he will not be played off the field, creating shifts for opponents, and not the other way around.
Guys his size shouldn’t be able to slide around the court like he does. They shouldn’t be able to land pennies this immaculate, in the conversation statistically as the best big player to enter the NBA in the past 20 years, edged out by Al Horford and Andrew Bogut in attendance rates. Shouldn’t be able to get such a tricky touch, ranking in the 92nd percentile on floats – a lethal shot more common among some of the league’s top guards. Should not be able to cover as much ground, quickly switching from the interior anchor to the perimeter plug. Shouldn’t be able to play like a human computer with the speed at which it processes information and then reacts. Or be such a sultry, active, rim-protective defenseman with an extraordinarily low foul rate, helping USC become the nation’s best 2-point defense and sixth-best overall.
On offense, the Cavs can use him as a hub – perimeter, mid post, high post, short roll, dunk spot. Altman even mentioned that Mobley was a pick-and-roll player thanks to his vision and his passing.
According to Synergy, he took 18 percent of his shots on rollers, 15 percent came from post-ups, another 15 percent from spot-ups, 12 percent from cuts and dumps, 11 percent were from offensive rebounds, 9 percent in transition and 7 percent were isolates. At Altman’s point, Mobley has scored seven of the 15 times he has operated as a pick-and-roll ball handler. He also shot 46.4% on mid-range jumpers, a good sign to project the evolution of his 3 points.
“He’s one of the few guys who when he hits the ball something good happens every time and he’s not selfish,” said Altman. “He tries to play the right game every time. This is why it is really difficult to classify it in a position.
On the other end, Mobley can help protect Garland-Sexton’s undersized backcourt, giving the Cavs another more defenseman and possibly preventing them from finishing near the bottom of the defensive standings for a fourth straight season. He can play alongside fellow strikers Nance and Kevin Love. The Cavs also believe the Allen-Mobley (Frobley? Tower City?) Pair will be effective.
The high-end comparisons with Anthony Davis, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, Giannis Antetokounmpo are too high. But they are at least understandable.
Guys like Mobley don’t come very often. Only Davis accomplished what Mobley did as a freshman, taking home conference player of the year, defensive player of the year and freshman of the year honors. year during the same season. Since Box Plus-Minus was introduced in varsity play, only three players have finished with a higher rating than Mobley: Davis, Zion Williamson, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Mobley also led the NCAA in Win Shares last season, propelling USC into the Elite Eight for the second time in two decades.
“I think his portrayal and family and Evan himself felt he should be the # 1 pick. And I don’t disagree with them on that,” Altman said. “It was a great ending, really. It’s a big injection of talent with what we’ve already established. We have had incredible success in this organization. And it’s really, really hard. It takes great talent to get there. He has high hopes and aspirations, and we are here with him.
Of course, there are some concerns – he needs to add muscle to his 215-pound frame, his long-range shooting shot is inconsistent and untested (a clear swing skill when it comes to his ceiling), he doesn’t have a glut of post moves, his rebound metrics are lower than desired, and his demeanor on the pitch is often muted, leading some to wonder if he has the passion to dominate and the voice. to lead – but that’s just a usual foul this time of year.
Mobley was the missing piece of Cleveland’s future. It may take a long time to grow and develop (Altman actually thinks Mobley might sprout more). But suddenly there is hope again. One reason to believe that this blueprint – often shredded by skeptics and mocked by those who kept judging a work in progress as if it were a finished product – will one day crystallize.
That the Cavs will ride with him.
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