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Evan Mobley’s Three-Point Evolution: A Game-Changer for the Cavs
Evan Mobley’s three-point shooting has become a significant asset for the Cleveland Cavaliers in December, propelling them to the top of the NBA standings. While Mobley’s offensive improvement was initially attributed to his increased aggression and better finishing at the rim, his expanded range beyond the arc has truly transformed the Cavs’ offense.
This season, Mobley is shooting an impressive 43.7% on threes, attempting 2.4 per game – double his volume from last year. What’s even more encouraging is his recent 16-game stretch, where he’s taking over three three-point attempts per game and connecting on 48% of them. This improvement isn’t just a flash in the pan; it’s supported by his increased free-throw percentage, which has climbed to nearly 78% this season.
The impact of Mobley’s shooting extends beyond just adding points to the scoreboard. It’s changing the way defenses approach the Cavs, creating more space for his teammates to operate. His ability to stretch the floor has made him an even more formidable partner for Donovan Mitchell, as evidenced by their impressive on-court chemistry.
Mobley-Mitchell Pairing Shines
The pairing of Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell has been a revelation for the Cavs this season. When these two are on the floor together (without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen), the team boasts a staggering +16.8 point differential per 100 possessions. This is a dramatic improvement from last season when the same pairing struggled to make a positive impact.
This success can be attributed to Mobley’s growth as a player and Mitchell’s willingness to empower his young teammate. The new offensive system implemented by coach Kenny Atkinson has allowed this pairing to flourish, showcasing the potential of Mobley at the center position.
While the Mobley-Mitchell duo has been stellar, it’s worth noting that the Garland-Allen pairing has also shown significant improvement. When these two are on the floor without Mobley and Mitchell, the Cavs are still outscoring opponents by 8.1 points per 100 possessions – a testament to the team’s depth and versatility.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cavs’ lineup dynamics, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
• The Cavs’ impressive rankings in offensive and defensive efficiency
• Upcoming West Coast road trip and its significance
• Analysis of the Cavs’ performance against above-.500 teams
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Sam Merrill’s recent contributions and Evan Mobley’s development are pivotal for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ success this season, showcasing their strategic importance. (Fear the Sword)
Analysis Cleveland Cavaliers’ coach highlights the necessity for the team to improve in key areas to maintain their competitive edge. This strategic insight is crucial for their ongoing development. (Sports Illustrated)
Biz Discussions surrounding a new playoff bracket format are intensifying, which could significantly impact the Cleveland Cavaliers and the broader NBA landscape. This potential change is expected to gain more attention. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Cavaliers will clash with the Warriors at the Chase Center at 10:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
Ticket Booth
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Cavaliers @ Warriors
Monday, Dec. 30 | 7:00PM | Chase Center, San Francisco, CA | Get Tickets
Cavaliers @ Lakers
Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 6:00PM | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA | Get Tickets
Cavaliers @ Mavericks
Friday, Jan. 3 | 7:30PM | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
The Evan Mobley leap The Cavs have been excellent this season, and Evan Mobley is a big reason why.
To Trade or Not to Trade The Cavs are a team that could be making a move to bolster the rotation this season, what questions do they need answered before making a deal?
Is Sam Merrill the Sniper Back?? Sam Merrill nailed a season-high six 3-pointers against the Jazz. Could this be the end of his shooting slump?
