An anonymous NBA scout thinks Evan Mobley’s offense has stalled. The three-point numbers give the scout a case. The rest of it? That may be a little strong.
“I thought Mobley was going to break out two years ago when he won Defensive Player of the Year,” the scout told Tom Dierberger of Sports Illustrated. The scout argued that Mobley needs to improve his three-point shot to take another step and concluded: “He has not.”
Grant Afseth of Cavs Roundtable laid out the numbers: Mobley shot 37.0 percent from deep in his Defensive Player of the Year season, then fell to 29.7 percent last year. He made 62 of 209 attempts.
So, yes, the shot took a step back. Opponents noticed, especially when the games got tighter. If Mobley can make defenses respect him away from the basket, it changes what Cleveland can do with him and Jarrett Allen on the floor together.
But the scout’s broader suggestion that Mobley hasn’t grown seems harsh. He averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, a career-high 3.6 assists and a career-high 1.7 blocks last season. He also played through calf trouble and helped the Cavs reach the Eastern Conference finals.
Mobley himself acknowledged at media day that he has “an edge” heading into this season. He said he spent the summer working on what he needs to improve, including a go-to offensive move. Asked what that move is, he smiled and told reporters, “You’re gonna have to find out and see.”
The scout has identified a real question. Mobley gets to answer it.
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