NEW YORK — Ricky Rubio isn’t typically gushy.
Playing four years overseas and 11 more in the NBA has a way of forcing a more level-headed approach. Prior to training camp, his message to young protégé Darius Garland was about not being satisfied with a bounce-back second season and needing to show more consistency. In October, Rubio bluntly said the Cavs weren’t close to where they wanted to be. He’s often the first one to point at the calendar, reminding everyone how early it is in this 82-game grind.
But Rubio couldn’t help it. He couldn’t contain his excitement. Not when discussing rookie teammate Evan Mobley following Cleveland’s 126-109 win over the New York Knicks.
“He’s special and he will be special,” Rubio said of Mobley. “We don’t even know how (high) his potential can be.”
Rubio had the best night of his career. He scored 37 points and made eight 3-pointers while dishing out 10 assists. He became the first player in NBA history to post those numbers off the bench.
And yet, he was quick to praise Mobley, the No. 3 pick who dazzled in his Madison Square Garden debut and continues to leave observers awestruck.
“First game in the Garden. Twenty years old. You have to give him credit,” Rubio said. “He’s really mature for his age. He knows how to play the game the right way. Scoring 26 points your first game in MSG is hard to do. We’re proud to have a teammate like him. It’s fun.”
It wasn’t just Mobley’s (career-best) point total. It never is. He added nine rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. He missed just four shots all night. He anchored the defense and played at the top of Cleveland’s disruptive 3-2 zone. He shredded New York on short rolls and buried two 3-pointers, including one at the 5:50 mark of the fourth quarter while MSG was rockin’ and the Knicks were making a comeback.
With Mobley on the floor, the Cavs outscored New York by 26 points. The youngster outplayed Knicks All-Star Julius Randle.
“It’s a big stage for anybody. They said that 10 times before the game started: ‘The world’s most famous arena.’ And it really is,” Jarrett Allen said. “For him to come in and play how he did, career high, close out the game on defense and offense how he did, that just shows a lot of growth. He has a long way to go in this league. He’s going to be the Rookie of the Year in my opinion.”
When Mobley first walked into the arena, about two hours prior to tipoff, he could feel it. The atmosphere was different. But one of Mobley’s many special qualities is his demeanor. He’s never rattled.
“I’ve lived in New York. I know how New Yorkers are. I know how they can be cheering, yelling, saying nasty things behind the bench,” said Allen, who played his first three-plus seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. “But Evan stayed locked in for all four quarters, all 48 minutes. He didn’t let the moment get to him, and he played excellent. He works well under pressure.”
“Any performance you put on here is a higher stage, but Evan doesn’t care,” Bickerstaff added. “Evan shows up to do his job, no matter if he was at a park back in L.A., it doesn’t matter to him. He shows up to do the job to help the team win. That’s his priority. That’s all he cares about.”
The term rare is often overused. But it’s fitting with Mobley.
On Sunday night, he became the first rookie since Blake Griffin in 2011 to record 26 or more points to go with at least nine rebounds and five assists while shooting better than 73.3% from the field.
Mobley picks things up quickly and retains that information. He understands positioning. Rarely commits fouls, already seemingly mastering the verticality rule when it comes to contesting shots. Doesn’t often make mistakes. He handles the ball like a guard. Can score or facilitate. Spaces the floor. Erases mistakes on defense. Mobile. Flexible. Versatile. Switchable. Coachable.
Groomed by his father, Mobley is programmed to be unselfish. He often allows the game to come to him, digesting the defensive schemes early and taking mental notes throughout. But Bickerstaff has talked with Mobley about being more assertive. Bickerstaff even predicted that Mobley would become a more dominant force on offense as the season goes on.
Sunday night showed that potential.
Mobley said he recognizes opponents being more physical. When they press up — testing his strength, handle and poise — he doesn’t back down, using speed and athleticism to attack. When they sit back, he’s willing to shoot. If an extra defender comes, he uses the pass as a weapon.
“Each game I’m learning where I can score, finding my spots in the offense,” Mobley said. “I feel like each game I’m getting better and better at that. I’m just trying to do what I do on the court. I know I got my guys around me to help me do that. It’s making it easier.”
There’s nothing easy about what Mobley is doing. He’s just making it look that way.
Despite the opponent being favored in all 11 games, the Cavs are 7-4. Six of those wins have come against Playoff or Play-In teams from last season. They won their league-best fifth road game Sunday. It took until Game No. 35 last season. They rank 10th in offensive efficiency and 15th on the other end. Of the Cavs’ lineups to play more than 10 total minutes this season, Mobley is in each of the top five. He’s a fixture of Cleveland’s closing group and leads the team in minutes because Bickerstaff can’t justify taking him off the floor. In an exceptional rookie class loaded with star potential, Mobley is the headliner, one of just six with a positive net rating. He’s also still the league leader in contested shots.
The Cavs are one of the NBA’s ascending teams. Mobley is lifting them.
“He’s earned our trust. We can depend on him,” Bickerstaff said. “How many 19- or 20-year-olds can you say that about?”
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