The Cleveland Cavaliers own the best record in the NBA right now at 5-0, and after playing some lowly teams to start the campaign, Cleveland has picked up each of its last two wins against legitimate playoff teams.
On Oct. 28, the Cavaliers beat the new-look New York Knicks by six points at Madison Square Garden. More recently, on Oct. 30, Cleveland beat LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers by 24 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, coaches and scouts from opposing NBA teams have been quick to mention the play of big man Evan Mobley when talking about the Cavaliers’ torrid start to the campaign.
“In talking to opposing coaches and scouts about Cleveland’s start, Mobley’s name is the first that comes up,” Bontemps wrote. “The fourth-year forward was given a five-year max contract this summer by Cleveland. And, as this year has gotten underway, they’ve been impressed with the way [Kenny] Atkinson has made sure to get Mobley involved in the offense. That’s how he was able to get up 16 shots in 19 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers in a game he was limited by foul trouble.”
Mobley has been an indispensable part of the Cavaliers’ success on both ends of the floor through the team’s first five contests. Starting with the offensive side of the ball, he seems to be on track for a career year. He’s averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game on 56.7 percent shooting from the field and 50.0 percent shooting from deep so far in his fourth season as a Cavalier.
On the defensive side of the floor, he’s arguably been equally impactful. He’s racking up the most steals (1.2) and blocks (2.0) per game of his pro career, and Mobley is a player who finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in the 2022-23 campaign.
While the Cavaliers own the top record in the league at the moment, they aren’t the only undefeated team left. The Oklahoma City Thunder improved their record to 4-0 after they beat the San Antonio Spurs by 12 points in their last game.
Plus, Cleveland’s lengthy winning streak could very well be on the line in its upcoming game against the Orlando Magic. The Magic are likely seeking revenge after they were eliminated by the Cavaliers in seven games in the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and they’re off to a solid start this season.
But with Mobley doing his thing, the Cavs have to like their chances against anyone right now. The Magic will also be missing rising star Paolo Banchero in the matchup.
