Following the Cavs’ 126-114 win over the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland moved to an NBA-best 20-3 on the season, recording another dominant win for the Cavs against a playoff contender. The storyline of the night was the three-point line. Cleveland outscored Denver 66-18 from behind the arc while shooting 45.8% on the night. Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert paced the Cavs with 11 made threes combined, but it was Evan Mobley‘s stellar shooting night that is a recipe for success in Cleveland.
Cavs Star Evan Mobley Finding Rhythm From Three
Career Progression
Towards the back end of last season, Mobley had begun to make the three a part of his game. He shot 37.3% on three-pointers on 1.2 attempts per game, way above his previous career-high of 25%.
With the addition of new head coach Kenny Atkinson and his fast-paced offense, it was only natural that Mobley would shoot the ball more. So far this season, the Cavs 7-footer is shooting 34.8% from three on an increased 2.1 attempts per game. Mobley is coming off a career-high night from behind the arc, where he shot 3/5, tying his record for makes and setting a new record for attempts.
After the game, Atkinson spoke on the importance of Mobley’s shooting, particularly his attempts, more than his makes.
“I told him in the locker room, I like the bad one you took,” Atkinson said in a press conference postgame. “I’m joking but he needs to get over that hump, he’s starting to get over that hump where we need his gravity. I think when the playoffs come against these… elite, elite rim protectors and they just stay back in the paint, you got to keep them honest. I’m just really happy that he was more aggressive with the three.”
As Mobley progresses with his three-point shot he will become part of the opposition scouting report. It is not extremely important for Mobley to become an elite shooter, but rather have the threat of shooting. Of the Cavs 10 main rotation players, Mobley is ninth in three-point attempts per game ahead of only Jarrett Allen, who takes none.
Mobley will likely never become a high-volume three-point guy, but he’s showcased the ability to get hot and force closeouts. The more he does that, the more he will be able to create off the dribble either getting into the paint or creating as a playmaker.
Season Progression
As the season goes on expect Mobley to take more threes. He’s taken at least two a game in his last nine games, closing in on his career-best mark of 10 in a row in early 2024.
While shooting at a higher rate and being more involved in the Cavs offense, with a career-high usage rate of 22.8%, Mobley is still an elite defender. Mobley leads the Cavs in blocks per game and is third on the team in steals. Shooting more threes and higher offensive production was gradually the next step in his career as someone who has always been a top-tier defender. With the way he is playing 23 games into this season, the future is bright for the 23-year-old.
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