Nick Young questions Evan Mobley’s aggression, but the Cavs’ issue goes deeper

Nick Young wants to know when Evan Mobley is going to take the next step. That could be considered a fair question.

His assessment of what’s missing, though, needs some work.

“He’s not even aggressive. He got like that Bam sh*t in his head,” Young said on Gil’s Arena, in a clip shared by Ahn Fire Digital⁠.

What Bam Adebayo has to do with it isn’t entirely clear from that comment. But saying Mobley isn’t aggressive misses the mark. He is aggressive. Just not consistently enough.

There’s also a tendency to confuse his personality with his approach. Mobley is quiet and unassuming. He doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve. That’s been his demeanor since high school, and even when he’s attacking, he doesn’t necessarily look like someone trying to announce his presence.

The numbers suggest progress. Through seven games, Mobley is averaging 19.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists, shooting 57.6% overall and 53.3% from three. That last number won’t be easy to sustain, but his confidence out there is noticeable. His post game hasn’t shown the same obvious leap. 

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst offered an interesting thought on ESPN Cleveland, suggesting the Cavs’ best lineup might feature Mobley at center alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and two wings.

There may be something to that. Give Mobley more room and make him the primary big man, and perhaps his involvement becomes more consistent.

But sitting Jarrett Allen comes with a cost. The Cavs lose part of their rim protection, along with a reliable scoring option near the basket. When Mobley isn’t getting touches or demanding them, Allen can help keep the offense from becoming entirely a perimeter exercise.

Which brings us back to the shared responsibility here.

Mobley needs to assert himself. The Cavs need to make him a priority. They’ve struggled to consistently do that alongside their guards, though Harden is often looking to pass first and taking whatever scoring opportunities come his way.

Nobody needs Mobley to deliver 30 points and 15 rebounds every night. The threat of 25 and 12 would be plenty useful. There are nights when that looks entirely reasonable, and others when you’re wondering why he’s gone so long without being involved.

At 4-3 heading into Wednesday’s rematch with the Thunder, the Cavs have time. It’s November. Mobley doesn’t need a different personality. He and the Cavs need to bring out his best more often.

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