Evan Mobley’s Insistence on Playing Through Pain Defines The Success of an Upstart Cavaliers Team

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to prove that they are the most dominant team in basketball. With LeBron James and company, anything seems possible for the Cavs—including winning their first NBA title this year.

The “cleveland cavs roster” is a team that has been through many ups and downs. They have finally found success in the playoffs, but it was not easy for them to get there.

Evan Mobley’s outstanding two-way ability on the floor has already inspired his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates. With his audacity, the NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner might also be encouraging them.

Cleveland’s youth are fast approaching adulthood. Jarrett Allen continues to prove why the Cavs are almost unquestionably the beneficiaries of the James Harden deal, while Darius Garland joins LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in team history.

Mobley, too, is a standout performer. His passion to help Cleveland win at any costs is an intangible characteristic that characterizes an upstart Cavaliers team’s stunning success.

Evan Mobley returned quickly after losing time with an elbow injury early in the season.

During a game on December 08, 2021, Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls attempts to block Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers | Jason Miller/Getty Images

As the Cavaliers stormed off to a 9-5 start, Evan Mobley showed his superstar potential right away. With a strong run on both ends, the No. 3 overall selection established himself as a favorite for Rookie of the Year. However, he would face a setback.

In a defeat to the Boston Celtics on Nov. 15, Mobley injured his wrist. Without Mobley in the center, a weakened Cleveland team appeared adrift, losing each of its next four games.

However, behind the scenes, the former USC standout quickly returned to work after his injuries. Mobley has made significant progress since his comeback, missing just four games. Surprisingly, a healthy Cavs team began to win again.

Following Wednesday’s victory against the Houston Rockets, Cleveland has now won five consecutive games after going on a four-game winning run. Mobley didn’t play in that game because he’s been dealing with another ailment.

In the previous two weeks, Mobley has been playing with a hip issue.

Here’s what I know about Evan Mobley of the #Cavs: Mobley injured his hip early this month when he fell hard in Miami, according to a source. They’ve been able to keep it under control and treat it. However, the discomfort has not subsided. Despite his desire to perform, this offers him more time to prepare for the road trip.

December 16, 2021 — Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor)

After a speedy recovery from a damaged elbow, Mobley was forced to deal with yet another physical setback.

According to cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the 20-year-old injured his hip following a hard fall against the Miami Heat on Dec. 1. The club is “managing” and “handling” the ailment, according to Fedor, albeit the discomfort has not yet abated.

Unfortunately, the news explains why Mobley was not in the starting lineup against the Rockets on Wednesday. Even against a poor and rebuilding team like Houston, Fedor remarked that the kid wanted to participate.

Mobley’s ability was obvious before to the draft, when he was compared to Chris Bosh and Anthony Davis. With 13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game, he has exceeded expectations. When the former Trojans standout sits, opponents have a 111.0 offensive rating, compared to only 100.6 when he stalks the paint.

While on-the-floor talent is more evident, intangibles like desire are more difficult to assess. Perhaps Mobley is just displaying the eagerness of a rookie NBA player. Or maybe he’s simply a rookie doing his dues by wanting to be on the court no matter what. Regardless, his determination exemplifies the tenacity of the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers won with heart and effort.

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Cleveland lost perhaps its greatest shot-maker, Collin Sexton, to an early-season injury. At the time, it was debatable if the Cavaliers would be able to cope with the loss of their leading scorer.

Even without Sexton, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been successful. How? This team succeeds because of their hard work and dedication.

The Cavaliers’ offensive rating is in the center of the NBA, while their points per game is 18th. On the other hand, they grind down opponents on the defensive end, ranking second in defensive rating.

Mobley and Allen’s big frontcourt keeps ball-handlers at bay and forces opposing guards to settle for contested shots. Cleveland, on the other hand, does not commit stupid fouls. They are fourth in the league in terms of free throws allowed per game. This demonstrates the team’s ability to compete without forcing opponents to the free throw line.

Personnel are crucial in this situation. In pick-and-roll, Mobley’s agility enables him to hedge and defend guards on switches, but he still has the athleticism to return to his original assignment. Allen has a lot of the same characteristics. Those men make the guards’ job simpler.

Still, there’s something to be said about the Cavs’ young vigor and will to win. Mobley’s tenacity on playing despite injury backs up this theory, and the Rookie of the Year frontrunner could just be able to carry Cleveland to the postseason.

Basketball Reference provided the statistics.

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