Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley wins DPOY

Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley Snags Defensive Player of the Year Award

Matt Brown

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been leading the Eastern Conference for most of the season. They got off to a scorching hot start, starting 15-0 behind a high-octane offense and a solid defense. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have been the headliners, but the player who took a huge leap this season was former second overall pick Evan Mobley. He had his best season of his career and was rewarded for it. The NBA announced that Mobley has won Defensive Player of the Year.

Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley Wins DPOY

For months, San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama was the heavy favorite to win the award. When he was lost for the season due to injury, it opened up the race for Defensive Player of the Year. Evan Mobley received ten more first-place votes than Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, who took second. Draymond Green was third with Thunder forward Lu Dort, Rockets forward Amen Thompson, and Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo also receiving first-place votes.

Mobley likely got the nod because he led the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense to a number one overall seed in the conference. He is a rare defender who can guard the rim but also has the athleticism to guard the perimeter. His 1.6 blocks per game and almost one steal per game were enough to snag the award.

Final Thoughts

Since he came into the league, Mobley has been a defensive force since he entered the league and it is nice to see him finally get his flowers. Knocking off Daniels was no easy task, as he set franchise records for the Hawks in steals. However, the voters likely took the record of the team into consideration as well as the totality of the defense Mobley plays. Can he anchor the Cavaliers” defense to another NBA Championship?

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