Evan Mobley Looking To Add A Feature To His Game As He Rejoins Cavaliers
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Things look a lot different for the Cleveland Cavaliers than they did six weeks ago.
Back on December 15, the team was struck with the sobering news that Evan Mobley and Darius Garland would both miss an extended period of time due to injury. 6-8 weeks was the estimated timeline for Mobley, who was dealing with a knee injury that required surgery.
The 22-year old defied that timetable on Monday, making his long-awaited return to the floor, just a few days more than six weeks since the announcement.
"Thw beginning didn't feel too rusty," Mobley said. "I feel like got a few travel calls but that's gonna happen. Got into the flow of the game. As I kept playing, just felt better out there felt more comfortable and yeah, didn't feel too rusty."
Mobley was on a minutes restriction as he works to get his legs back underneath him. In 21 minutes, he scored 10 points and snagged nine boards in what was an impressive 118-108 win over the red hot Clippers.
It was a respectable start, but even Mobley knows it's going to take some time to get up to speed with his Cavs teammates. Since the injury announcement, Cleveland has found its identity behind the best defensive rating in the NBA since Dec 15. Coupled with a faster-paced offensive system that prioritizes spacing the floor and shooting lots of threes – only the Celtics have more three point attempts per game during that span than the Cavs – its rattled off a 15-4 record after last night.
That's what Mobley is stepping back into and to this point in his career he hasn't been much of a stretch four type who can knock down shots from the outside. That's something he is looking to change though.
"Definitely been thinking about that," the former No. 3 overall pick said. "That we've been working on that as well coming into this. Didn't get a chance to shoot many today but gonna take the opportunities and keep shooting them and just keep getting better with that."
Threes were not on the menu for Mobley in his limited action on Monday night. Even when he does start to take them, there are bound to be some growing pains. It's all part his reacclimation process and if he's able to add threes to his repertoire it could be a massive weapon for the Cavaliers.
Another weapon is on its way in the form of Garland who is Garland is likely due back as soon as Wednesday night, when Detroit comes to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Like Mobley, Garland faces an on-boarding experience of his own upon his return. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has to figure out how to fit all the puzzle pieces together, granted it's a good problem to have.
"As everyone gets back, it's just so many weapons that we have so many options," Mobley said. "A lot of shooting. DG, [Donovan Mitchell] with ISO ball if we ever need a bucket as well. "Me and [Jarrett Allen] defensively protecting the paint. Ball movement with Georges [Niang] as well. Just a lot of different weapons we can use and it's just putting it all together."
Mobley's return was an appetizer of what the full strength Cavs could look like in the months ahead. The entrée is on its way and it's being plated at the perfect time for a march towards the playoffs this spring.
