The Cleveland Cavaliers officially have the best defensive player in the league.
Voters rewarded Evan Mobley’s impressive efforts and performance with his first Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
However, he’s far from satisfied.
When asked his thoughts about winning this distinction, the Cavs’ big man claimed that he had his sights set on many more in the future:
โThis is only first of many,โ Mobley said. โMy goal is to keep getting this award as many times as possible and go out there and show the league my defensive prowess.โ
Mobley anchored a top-ten defense all season long.
He wasn’t as vocal as Draymond Green, who openly campaigned on his podcast and national television to win the award, and his traditional stats weren’t as impressive as those of Dyson Daniels, but voters still got it right.
Unlike Green, Mobley played top-tier defense throughout the course of the entire season, and the Cavs were a top defensive team all year long, not only down the stretch.
As for Daniels, as good a defender as he was, the Atlanta Hawks ranked in the middle of the pack in most metrics, and they didn’t even win half of their games this season.
Mobley can guard one through five like few big men have ever been able to do.
He can swat shots left and right, alters everything around the rim, and is laterally quick enough to stay in front of smaller players.
He also allows his teammates to gamble and be more aggressive on the perimeter.
He should continue to be a top-five defensive player in the league for years to come, and while winning this award again won’t be an easy thing, he’s most definitely up for the challenge.
NEXT: Key Cavs Player Is Questionable For Game 3 Against Heat
