The Cavaliers enter the regular season with one clear area that needs to sharpen up fast: Evan Mobley’s aggressiveness.
Cleveland wrapped up the preseason at 1-2, opening with a 119-105 win over the Orlando Magic, then falling to the Boston Celtics 124-113 before closing with a 132-116 loss to Orlando on October 13. That final preseason stretch put a spotlight on Mobley, and the takeaway was simple enough: for the Cavs to raise expectations and push toward real Eastern Conference contention, they need more force from him.
Mobley showed what he can do across the two preseason games against the Magic, putting up 28 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. The problem has never really been the talent.
At 25 years old, he already owns the 2024-2025 Defensive Player of the Year award and a second-team All-NBA selection from that same season. Last year, he averaged 18 points and nine rebounds while shooting 55% from the field.
He remains Cleveland’s biggest wild card on offense.
And that’s where the frustration lives. There have been plenty of stretches during his time in Cleveland when Mobley has looked like the best player on the floor. The issue is how often that version actually shows up, and it was on display again in the preseason finale against the Magic.
The challenge gets even bigger against Philadelphia. Recent reports indicate Jarrett Allen may not be available, which would put more on Mobley right away. A team update said:
"#Cavs center Jarrett Allen is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s season opener in Philadelphia with right patellar tendinopathy. Nae’Qwan Tomlin (back) and Khalifa Diop (knee) are out."
If Allen sits, Mobley’s role becomes even more important against Joel Embiid and the 76ers. His length and athleticism can make life difficult for Philadelphia on both ends, but only if he brings the kind of edge Cleveland needs from him.
The 76ers already opened their season with a 106-100 win over the Knicks, and Cleveland will also lean on its newer pieces to help on the defensive end. Peyton Watson is one of the players expected to support Mobley there and will be counted on for that side of the floor.
There’s extra emotion in this opener, too, because of who is on the other sideline: LeBron James. The Cavaliers hoped for a reunion with him this season, but he ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers. That sets up a road opener loaded with attention for Cleveland.
Still, the biggest swing factor is Mobley. If he is attacking, blocking shots and finishing hard at the rim, Cleveland can put pressure on Embiid and change the feel of the game. If Allen is unavailable, that mandate gets even louder.
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