This season, Evan Mobley continues to impress us with his already impressive defensive abilities. Asked by Bleacher Report on his defense, the rookie explained what were the principles allowing him to be a monster on that side of the field.
By drafting Evan Mobley this summer, the Cavs knew he was getting a player with offensive potential to be determined, but already a very good defender. However, it’s a safe bet that they didn’t expect it to be so good so quickly since today, the rookie is already an NBA benchmark. Overall stats level, the number 3 of the Draft 2021 runs at 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.7 blocks in 34.1 minutes of playing time. With an impressive wingspan (2m23) but above all a fairly exceptional mobility for his size (2m13), Evan also stands out through his intelligence and his understanding of the game well above average, especially for a rookie. . He was just questioned by Bleacher Report on these aspects of his game and what immediately jumps to the eye is the humble aspect of the favorite for the title of Rookie of the Year, who has his head on his shoulders.
In the video, the California native reflects on his near-circle deterrent ability. This year, Mobley contests 17 shots per game, which ranks him eighth in the NBA in this exercise. Specifically, on average, the youngster defends 9.6 attempts within three meters of the circle each evening. This is called a defensive pillar. The consequence of this involvement is that when his direct opponent tries a shot in this sector, his success percentage drops to 45.6%, which is the second lowest rate in the League knowing that the NBA average is 57.3%. Not only does it contest a lot of shots, but it mostly contests really well thanks to its long segments and placement intelligence. Add to that that the rookie is in the League’s Top 25 for forced ball drops (two per game on average) and you get an elite defender in the interior sector.
“That stat clearly shows the value of my defensive presence, because a lot of times I force ball losses, but I don’t necessarily get the interception. I feel like I do that a lot, as well as modify shots that aren’t necessarily counters. But the fact that I’m there and modifying the shot really affects the game in ways that a normal stat sheet wouldn’t show. »
Evan Mobley is great at defending close to the circle, but what makes him so special is thathe is also very good when it comes to defending in the perimeter, and on distance shooters in particular. We spoke above of his extraordinary physical abilities when we mentioned his arm length, and we also mentioned the extraordinary mobility (hip rotation, footwork and lateral reactivity) from the inside. Thanks to this, Evan Mobile is able to deter long-range shots by moving quickly on the field, while having the possibility of following players smaller than him. In the video, the Cavs nugget shares how he thinks about defending off the key:
“Usually I take my arm out and use it as a measuring stick to gauge how far away I am. And if I can almost touch them [ses adversaires, ndlr.], I feel like if they shoot now, I could probably argue well. And then also, if they want to penetrate, I can react in time with the space I have to stay in front of my man and contain him. »
The last point that already makes Evan Mobley one of the best defenders in the NBA is thathe understands the game and knows how to adjust according to the teammates around him. Indeed, this year, the Cavaliers align at the same time three players measuring more than 2m13: Lauri Markkanen, Mobley and Jarrett Allen. In this lineup, the rookie has often allowed himself to go out further in order to direct his opponent towards one of his teammates behind him, in order to then be able to contest the shot in the second curtain.
Evan Mobley has still not finished his rookie season and yet he is already considered one of the best defenders in the League. Still a little frail but endowed with monstrous potential, the boy’s future looks bright. If he does not end his career with at least one Defender of the Year title, we no longer understand anything. In the meantime, there is a ROY title to go for and why not an All-Defensive Team, everything seems possible with him.
Source texte : Bleacher Report
