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Kevin Love Gives His Thoughts On Evan Mobley Not Getting ROTY

By Robert Marvi May 14, 2022

Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles during the second half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 115-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

 

This season’s race for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award was one of the closest in history, and according to the fan base of one team in particular, perhaps a little controversial.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes ended up winning the honor, and he had a terrific season, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the field.

He helped his team overachieve, as it won 48 games and made the playoffs, even though many pundits predicted it would win considerably fewer contests.

But many in the state of Ohio feel that Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley was short-changed and perhaps disrespected a bit.

One of those people who feel that way is his teammate, Kevin Love.

“I thought he should’ve won Rookie of the Year.”

K-Love talks Evan Mobley’s growth amid a competitive ROY race this season

Tap in now ➡️ https://t.co/03ruOImHHY pic.twitter.com/UFKGa5WduX

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 13, 2022

 

Mobley Made A Great Case For The Rookie of the Year Award

Mobley was the third player chosen in last summer’s NBA draft, and in some ways, the Cavs may have lucked out.

Throughout the season, the Southern California native flashed his potential and had scouts and fans alike falling head over heels in love with his game.

Although his offensive game is still somewhat raw, he has shown some ability to get his own shot off the bounce and work in the low post.

Evan Mobley is the goat pic.twitter.com/WGmGSUjKyP https://t.co/D8P9vMxysC

— Ahmed🇸🇴/Kendrick Lamar’s Publicist (@big_business_) March 14, 2022

He is already a tremendous finisher at or near the rim, and he has become quite a target for Cleveland’s guards, in particular Darius Garland.

EVAN MOBLEY WITH THE HAMMER ON GIANNIS 💥 pic.twitter.com/ac756yZ7TQ

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 27, 2022

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Mobley’s game, at least right now, is his defense.

He averaged 0.8 steals and 1.7 blocked shots per game, and he made it clear that he is not a player anyone should challenge at or near the rim.

Holy crap, Evan Mobley pic.twitter.com/UTQ5PR8hki

— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) April 16, 2022

His 3-point shot is poor right now, but as the season went on, he showed improvement in his perimeter shot, which makes it seem he can eventually become a solid 3-point marksman.

Many scouts have said that Mobley has superstar potential, and some have compared him to Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man Anthony Davis or even Kevin Garnett, who is a Hall of Famer and a 15-time All-Star.

In fact, one former NBA player has said that, of all current players, Mobley will be the best in the league in five years.

“Evan Mobley, and it won’t be close,” the player told The Athletic. “… I swear, the kid’s going to be a superstar in two more years. Mobley is unbelievable. Watch how he does things and his decision-making and his reach, his ability to see where the ball is. When you see it, you’re going to say, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ When he plays against other rookies, you can see the disparity.”

The argument to be made for Mobley being the Rookie of the Year over Barnes is likely the defensive end.

Barnes may have the potential to become a good defender, but in at least some ways, Mobley is already there, and he helped anchor a Cavs defense that ranked seventh in defensive rating and fifth in points allowed.

Maybe Barnes deserved the Rookie of the Year award, but someday soon, Mobley could very well win the Most Valuable Player or Most Improved Player award.

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Filed Under: Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: Evan Mobley, Kevin Love

About Robert Marvi

Robert is a Los Angeles-area native and has been an avid NFL and NBA fan since he was a little kid. He feels strongly that pro sports aren't just a form of entertainment, but also a great way to learn life lessons and find inspiration.

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