Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley took a big leap last season under coach Kenny Atkinson. But none of that seems to matter to former NBA guard Jeff Teague.
Few players in the league showed more progress than Mobley in 2024-25. He raised his scoring to a career-best 18.5 points per game, stretched the floor with a respectable 37 percent shooting from three, and anchored a Cleveland defense that ranked among the NBA’s top 10.
The payoff? Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
Still, Teague isn’t convinced there’s much more growth left.
“That’s probably the best he gonna get,” Teague said on the 520 podcast. “… I think that’s probably the best we gonna see of Evan Mobley. He probably become a better shooter, but his body type — he don’t have a (Giannis Antetokounmpo) build. The only step he could take is like Giannis. He can come that physically imposing to just run people over and go dunk. But his aggressiveness and the way he play just doesn’t mirror Giannis. He don’t move as fluid as Giannis.”
That’s a fair take. But here’s the counter: Mobley doesn’t need to be Giannis to be a franchise cornerstone. He already impacts winning at an elite level, particularly on defense. And at 24 years old, he’s hardly a finished product.
In fact, with Darius Garland sidelined to start the season after toe surgery, Mobley may be asked to shoulder a larger offensive load. Averaging 20-plus points isn’t out of the question.
So yes, maybe Mobley never morphs into the battering ram that Giannis has become. Even if Teague is right, the Cavs still have one of the game’s most versatile bigs, a defensive anchor and an improving shooter who hasn’t yet hit his ceiling.
That’s pretty doggone good in itself — and probably good enough to help the Cavaliers chase a title in the not-so-distant future. As in, yes, next season.
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Hey Sam, Just maybe someone should have Jeff take new look at the offseason NEW Mobley & what he’s done with his physique ! The photos I saw,,,, He got muscle…… He be Jacked,,,,,
The man’s been Working Out ! & I think old Jeff won’t want any part of that.
check out the pics online