Donovan Mitchell defended Evan Mobley against criticism, saying the Cavaliers forward was Cleveland's best player when the playoffs arrived.
Evan Mobley averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season, one year after winning the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. He shot 54.6% from the field, 29.7% from 3-point range, and 60.6% from the free-throw line.
Through 18 playoff games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 6-foot-11 forward averaged 17.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, according to Basketball-Reference.
Mitchell Pushes Back on Mobley Criticism
Mobley's first season after winning the award drew criticism, but Donovan Mitchell said at Monday's media day that the discussion did not hold up once the playoffs started.
"For Ev, you look at, you come into the league, you make the playoffs, you win Defensive Player of the Year," Mitchell said. "Like, everybody expects that jump to always be there. And I've said this before, right? Sometimes progress is not linear, right? And I don't think the masses understand that. I think we get so used to, like, instant success. It has to happen that way."
"And ironically enough, like, he was our best player in the playoffs, right?" Mitchell continued. "So, like, people for all the whole year to be like, man, he's not doing this, that, and the fifth. When it came down to it, he was right there, right? So I think people need to understand that there's a patience. And with Ev, like, for him, he's always here with it. So we never worry about where he's at mentally."
Mitchell believes Mobley is positioned for another step forward with James Harden in the mix and Cleveland's core continuing to build chemistry.
"I think for this summer, in this season, I'm always excited for what he's [doing] going forward," Mitchell added. "But, like, obviously adding James, and him and I developing our chemistry a little bit more and more each year, and then what he's put in, the time, and to put the work in himself, [it'll] be a big year for sure."
Mobley Delivered Several Big Playoff Performances
Cleveland went 52-30 and needed seven games in each of its first two series.
Mobley scored 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting in a 115-105 win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the first round on April 20. In Game 6 at Toronto on May 1, Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds in a 112-110 overtime loss.
Game 7 at Detroit came on May 17. He finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 125-94 win that sent Cleveland to the Eastern Conference finals.
New York swept Cleveland in the conference finals. Against the Knicks, Mobley averaged 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting in Game 3, a 121-108 loss at Rocket Arena on May 23, according to the Cavaliers' game notes.
The Knicks won their first title since 1973 in the next round, over San Antonio.
Mobley blocked 32 shots in the 18 playoff games. He has started all 43 postseason games of his career.
Mobley Already Has Extensive NBA Résumé
He won Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season and made the All-NBA team the same year. He has made one All-Star team and two All-Defensive teams, and he was named to the All-Rookie team in 2021-22.
Cleveland drafted Mobley third overall out of USC in 2021. He turned 25 on June 18.
Mitchell was referring to James Harden, who came over from the LA Clippers in February in the deal that sent Darius Garland out of Cleveland. Harden re-signed in August.
Mitchell averaged 26 points in the playoffs. Harden averaged 19.7.
Cavaliers Bring Back Mobley, Allen in New-Look Core
Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said Friday that the team got better this offseason after acquiring Peyton Watson in a five-team sign-and-trade and signing Mario Hezonja. Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both back.
Cleveland holds training camp in Spain through Oct. 5. The Cavaliers close the preseason with two games against the Orlando Magic, at home Oct. 11 and on the road Oct. 13.
