The Cleveland Cavaliers should be the favorites coming out of the Eastern Conference. With mostly the same roster that won 64 games last season, the Cavs look poised to make their third Conference Finals appearance without LeBron James.
Donovan Mitchell is an MVP darkhorse, and Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are all All-Stars. Allen may be the odd man out, but even if the Cavaliers swing a trade, they should be in a winning position.
Mitchell is the best player on the roster, but Mobley is the young centerpiece. In order to get the most out of him moving forward, he needs to step up, like an Eastern Conference rival did.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives past Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at TD Garden on February 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Evan Mobley Needs to Be Like Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum has made the All-Star Game in six of his eight NBA seasons, and has been the centerpiece of the Boston Celtics ever since they drafted him third overall in 2017.
However, Tatum’s leadership was largely overshadowed in his first few seasons by Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, and Kemba Walker, who were all experienced veterans by that point.
Mobley has often been able to take a back seat in the locker room. For him to take another leap, however, he needs to command some respect and attention.
“I was also fortunate to cover Jayson Tatum, who was a really shy kid for the first four years, and now he’s a top-five player,” said Brian Scalabrine on NBATV on October 7th. “I just think Evan Mobley has to have that personality. Greatness is not easy, you guys know it’s not easy. But that personality, I think, helps you along the way.”
The Cavs boast veterans like Allen, Garland, Mitchell, Lonzo Ball, and Larry Nance Jr. All of those players have been around the block, but in order to cement a promising future, Mobley needs to be more vocal.
GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 09: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 09, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers Can Give Mobley More Responsibility
Tatum stepped into a bigger leadership role when Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets. On the court, Irving was able to do most of what Tatum brought to the table.
The same could be said for Allen’s role on the Cavs.
For now, Allen is able to score in the paint and defend multiple positions, allowing Mobley to shirk some responsibility. That’s not to say that Mobley is not an elite player, but there is less pressure on him than most young stars in the league.
If Cleveland really believes that Mobley can blossom as the two-way face of the franchise, giving him the reins–fully–needs to be a priority.
He’s about to kick off his fifth NBA season, and he’s never been a true first option for the team that drafted him.
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