Cleveland Cavaliers fans may be worried about their team’s performances as of late. While they’re still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, recent games have seen them slip up and give the Boston Celtics a chance to retake the top seed in the East.
While fans are concerned about the team’s form, Donovan Mitchell quelled their worries by saying he thrives in such situations. Having a star player with that mentality should give comfort to fans who are worried about the team’s postseason hopes.
Moreover, they have Evan Mobley, one of the best defenders in the association, guarding the paint. The 23-year-old forward has been a reliable rock defensively for the Cavs, and his contributions make him one of the possible winners for DPOY.
While other players may claim the 2025 title, there’s still reason to believe that Mobley would win the coveted award.
Evan Mobley still has a chance to win DPOY despite Draymond Green’s belief he could win the title
Green has claimed that he has the potential to win DPOY with Victor Wembanyama out of the season, and it’s fair to think so. The Warriors have only lost two games since acquiring Jimmy Butler, and Green played a huge part on the matter.
It also doesn’t help that Mobley didn’t play strong defensively in their four-game skid, as explained by Josh Cornelissen of King James Gospel:
Losses to the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns didn’t help matters; the Cavaliers gave up 123 points in both losses, and Mobley wasn’t a defensive difference-maker. It was a rough week not only for the team, but for Mobley’s chances at winning the award.
While things may look bleak for Mobley’s DPOY hopes, he still has a shot at winning the award. The team’s upcoming games against the Pistons, Clippers, Bulls, and Knicks are terrific opportunities for him to add to his defensive averages this season of 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks per season.
Moreover, his defensive rating also puts him above Green. His 108.3 defensive rating may only put him eighth in the rankings, but these numbers are much better than Green, who is nowhere near the top 25.
As long as Evan Mobley gets his head down and focuses defensively, he has a solid shot at winning the award as one of the defensive anchors of an outstanding Cleveland squad.
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