While searching for a new head coach this offseason, the Cavaliers sent out a request for all candidates to come prepared with an outline for Evan Mobley‘s future, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. Now-head coach Kenny Atkinson presented a plan for how Mobley could continue building his relationship with Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt and space the floor despite not being a traditional shooter, like Draymond Green in Golden State.
“[Atkinson]’s just empowering me, like, ‘You gotta go and attack. Look to score for us,’” Mobley said. “And he does that with everybody. If someone is open on the wing and they pass up a shot, shoot it. That’s his whole philosophy.”
The Cavaliers have big plans for Mobley, including turning him into more of an offensive hub. The team wants him to score more in transition and believes he’ll be even more of a passing threat if teams think he’s looking to score at all times.
Atkinson’s vision is paying off in the early going for Mobley, who spent the offseason building bulk and muscle, according to Katz. He’s bringing up the ball at a career-high rate and his 18.3 points per game would also be a career high if it holds through the season.
“[Mobley] more so has a more a ‘f— you’ attitude this year,” teammate Tristan Thompson said. “I think this summer was good for him developing. Like, he knows he’s that guy. I think sometimes you gotta have that arrogant confidence in yourself. Before, he was kinda playing timid. … But now it’s more like, he knows he’s a f—ing problem.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Mobley isn’t the only Cavalier enjoying early-season success, with the team as a whole out to a 6-0 start. As ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst write in an Insider-only story, the Mobley-Donovan Mitchell duo is the team’s most used two-man grouping, a change from last season that’s paying dividends. According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor (subscription required), the team’s +102 point differential through six games is the best in franchise history. In a separate subscriber-only story, Fedor writes that depth is helping drive Cleveland’s hot start, with players like Ty Jerome standing out at the back end of the rotation.
- In the same ESPN+ story, Bontemps and Windhorst explore Pacers‘ star Tyrese Haliburton‘s slow start to the season and where the Bucks can go from here after a disappointing 1-4 start.
- Ayo Dosunmu‘s role with the Bulls has fluctuated since he entered the league, as he has spent time as a starter and filling more of a sixth man role. Through six games this season, Dosunmu has yet to make a start. However, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley, Dosunmu doesn’t care whether he starts or not. “I believe I’m a starting-caliber player in this league,” Dosunmu said. “[Bulls coach Billy Donovan] does also. But whatever it may be to help the team win, that’s the route I go.“
- The Bulls are off to a resilient start to the season, The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry writes. They’ve orchestrated two 20-point comebacks in their 3-3 start to the season. “We know who we are,” forward Patrick Williams said. “We’ve got a bunch of competitors in this locker room, a lot of guys that don’t want to lose and love to win. I think that shows through the way that we play. We’ve got to get back to the drawing board on why we’re getting in these deficits in the first place. Against the best teams, you can’t come back from 20 down.“
Need to trade Vu, he’s going to cost this team a top 10 pick with his play right now. Jalen Smith has been an excellent signing. Ayo has been a letdown for now. Patrick Williams still has zero offensive game. Fml
So that’s first Donte DiVi and now Ty Jerome – 2 guys Kerr could not unlock, who played like garbage on GSW but have played much better after leaving Steve “never developed anyone ever” Kerr. And now Kenny is cooking for the Cavs. Interesting.
Maybe he didn’t have shot attempts? They had Wiggins/ Steph/Klay. Plus you really thought he would get meaningful playing time when they were the defending champs? Let it go and move on lol
PWill needs to play better or they need to find a way to play him with the second string team. Once Lavine is off this team I really think that Ayo will shine. To me, he’s proven he can play at that level. The Bulls need to play well for now to get Lavine and Vuc’s value up to get better assets back, tank, keep our pick, and let the rebuild start.