Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been named the defensive player of the year. This past season, Mobley averaged seven defensive rebounds per game, 1.6 blocks per game, and 0.9 steals per game. He had 495 defensive rebounds, 113 blocks, and 61 steals. Mobley was 14th in total defensive rebounds, 13th in defensive rebounds per game, sixth in blocks per game, and fifth in total blocks.
Even though Mobley was very good defensively, one must wonder if San Antonio Spurs star Viktor Wembanyama had been healthy for a full season, if the second year Frenchman would have been honoured. Wembanyama only played 46 games because of deep vein thombrosis in his right shoulder. However, he still led the NBA in blocks per game (3.8) and total blocks (176) for the second straight year.
It also helped that Mobley played for an elite team in the NBA. The Cavaliers were the best team in the Eastern Conference at 64 wins and 18 losses. One must also realize that Mobley has an advantage among voters because he is in the East. Fewer people stay up late in the East to watch the Los Angeles Clippers, who have Ivica Zubac on their roster. This past season Zubac led the NBA in total rebounds (1010), offensive rebounds (300) and defensive rebounds (710).
It in the postseason, it has been the Cavaliers offense that has made the difference. Despite giving up 100 points twice in their first two games of their first round series against the Miami Heat, Cleveland has scored 121 points in each contest. Donovan Mitchell has been offensively consistent, as he has scored 30 points in both games.
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