Points record for a “phenomenal” Evan Mobley

The heights of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse are today decorated with the jerseys of seven former glories of the Cavs. While waiting to see that of LeBron James added to it, JB Bickerstaff is already imagining a new jersey number to be retired: number 4. That ofEvan Mobley. ” There will be one day, that’s for sure“, predicts without hesitation the Cleveland coach.

Last night against the Clippers, the interior took a small step in this direction by doing as well as a former franchise figure, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, whose No. 11 is no longer worn. He became the fourth Cavs player to reach 100 blocks in his rookie season.

The statistic is more anecdotal than the visual impression left by Evan Mobley, author of the counter of the evening, his 100th career therefore, against Ivica Zubac, in overtime. This one, after an offensive rebound, thought to offer a quiet dunk with two hands. He ended up on the ground, unbalanced by the force of the wall opposite.

” He can change a game. He is an elite player in terms of his timing, his speed of execution, his ability to read the game, when an opponent takes off, and to block shots without making a mistake. He makes it extremely difficult for the guys who go there and just throw Hail Marys because they can’t see the circle”.

” I didn’t really think about it “retorts the rookie when asked if this gesture would mark his first season in the league. Before adding: Yeah, that was a big cons. Definitely one of the best actions. “

“Much more aggressive than he was at the start of the season”

This high-class defensive action, against a Croatian pivot (24 points at 10/15 on shots and 14 rebounds) which made him suffer a lot in the post, completed his very good evening on the other side of the field. The 3rd choice of the last Draft reached for the first time this season the 30 point mark (13/22 on shots), including 18 after the break, and 6 rebounds, in addition to 2 steals and 2 blocks.

” I really like Mobley’s game, he’s become a lot more aggressive than he was at the start of the season. He has integrated well, you can see the improvement in his game“, salutes his evening racket opponent, who had contained him to 12 points (3/10) during their first confrontation at the end of October.

“ He has impressed me throughout the season, not just tonight. He continues to improve as games go by, so to see him do (this kind of performance) is special “, completes one of Evan Mobley’s young teammates, Isaac Okoro.

We recall that the rookie was recently repositioned on the post of pivot, to compensate for the absence of Jarrett Allen. A configuration that does not seem to displease him since he averages 22 points and 9 rebounds in his last four outings. After tonight’s game, he highlights his aggressiveness and the work of his teammates to put him ” in good positions both to score and to defend. ” I’m just trying to improve myself. I feel like that’s what I’ve been doing so far “, he always displays soberly.

According to his coach, Evan Mobley is aware of the current context for the Cavs, current 6th in the East, who will have to fight to the end to qualify directly for the playoffs, while Raptors, Nets or Hawks are pushing hard behind them. ” He took to heart the conversation we had about the sense of urgency and the importance of these last 16 games, he was phenomenal“, Qualifies to conclude JB Bickerstaff, his biggest fan.