The NBA is in a state of transition right now. While the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are all individually dominant, the focus is shifting to a younger crop of talent to take over the reins and lead their teams to Finals and Championships. As a result, names like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic are dominating the Best Player in the World conversations.
However, there are even younger stars who might take the mantle from them in the next half a decade or so. Most people have Victor Wembanyama pegged as the favorite to take over the league, but another dominant near-7-foot defender believes he can be the man at the top as well.
Evan Mobley Stakes His Claim in Best in the World Conversations
When he first came into the NBA, it was clear that Mobley was going to be a dominant player for years to come. Already possessing elite defensive instincts and production to match, he quickly racked up multiple finishes as a Defensive Player of the Year finalist.
The question for the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar was the offensive end. While there was potential, he wasn’t consistent enough to be seen as a true threat on that end of the floor. However, he believes that the upward trend on offense this season is the new normal.
As a result, speaking to the Athletic, he was clear in positioning himself as the best player in the game in five years time. “Best player in five years? Maybe me or Victor (Wembanyama). One of (us).”
For that prediction to come true, the change in his offensive game has to hold true. The first inklings of a true metamorphosis came in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics last season. In game five of that series, Mobley tallied 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a couple of blocks.
That set off a chain reaction that has led to this season, where he’s averaging over 18 a night (a career-high), while shooting over 37% from distance. While remaining equally elite on the defensive end, he’s laid down the blueprint for a dominant season by Cleveland as a whole.
However, his comments to the Athletic weren’t an isolated incident. Mobley has maintained his belief in his ability to be the best player in the league in due time. Speaking to Cleveland.com, he made his mindset clear, “I feel like if you don’t believe in yourself, then how are you going to get there?
“I just have belief in myself. I think I have the capability. I have the size, the stature, the skill set. Why not believe in that? … I feel like I have a lot of potential, so that’s my goal. I’m not focused on getting there today. Just every day, take it day by day.”
But, it isn’t just Mobley who sees a bright future ahead for him. Teammate and fellow All-Star Darius Garland, too, believes his power forward is going to lead the charge in the league one day. ” “We’ve got the belief in him. He has belief in himself. He has the confidence now”
Garland made it clear that his teammates’ unique skills are what will make him stand apart.
“He is going to get better with time. In five years I don’t know where he is going to be. Seven-foot unicorn that’s dribbling and dunking behind his head like that, it’s pretty unusual. He has everything. He has all the tools just to be great. He’s just got to go get it.”
It remains to be seen how Mobley fares in the coming seasons. But as far as this year goes, he has a legitimate shot of building up his resume with the Cavaliers emerging as true contenders in the Eastern Conference with a sizeable gap as the one-seed.
