Bold prediction No. 2: Evan Mobley will be the best big in this series
Let’s get this out of the way now. Evan Mobley is – and is going to play like – the best big in this series. And that’s saying something considering there are other really good big men featured in this series, even on the Cavs aside from Mobley. There’s Jarrett Allen who has been good for the Cavs when he’s been healthy. Then on the Knicks, there’s Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin, and, hopefully, Julius Randle. All of those big men are really good. But they’re not as good as Mobley is when he’s playing at his full potential.
What makes Mobley so dangerous is the level of impact he can have across the board when he’s playing at a high level. Mobley doesn’t just impact the defensive end of the floor, but he’s also one of the Cavs’ biggest difference-makers on the offensive end.
Mobley took another step forward in his progression this season and continued to get better as a player as the season went on. During the month of March specifically, Mobley averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks on 58 percent shooting from the field.
This playoff matchup is setting up for Mobley to announce himself to the rest of the league. And I predict that he will, in a big way.