Evan Mobley can reach the heights of Kevin Garnett only if he does a few things right, says a former NBA champion.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to capitalize on a weakened Eastern Conference this season. With two of their biggest competitors ravaged by injuries, the Cavaliers have a real opening.
To find success next season, the Cavaliers will have to rely on their star players. And perhaps no player is more important for them than Evan Mobley.
Mobley has set his sights on the MVP award over the next two years, wanting to build on the momentum of his Defensive Player of the Year campaign.
Now, as Mobley becomes the Cavaliers’ most exciting star, one former NBA champion thinks he must embrace his gifts and try to become like Kevin Garnett, although he isn’t sure he can do it.
Brian Scalabrine questions Evan Mobley as a leader, needs to make Kevin Garnett leap
Former NBA champion Brian Scalabrine spoke to NBC Sports’ panel about Evan Mobley. While he thinks Mobley is a good player, he questioned his grit and toughness.
Scalabrine brought up his time playing with Kevin Garnett, and his vocal communication being key to his star player status. He believes Mobley needs to have a similar personality to Garnett for success.
“I was fortunate to play with a guy like Kevin Garnett… His aura, what he brings, he’s loud. I don’t know if Evan Mobley can be that type of player.
“I don’t know if he has to be that type of player nowadays. Does he have to be the best player on his team?
“I was fortunate enough to cover Jayson Tatum, who was a really shy kid his first four years; now he’s a top-five player.
“I just think Evan Mobley has to have that personality. Greatness is not easy; that personality helps you along the way.”
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Kevin Garnett was rough around the edges, but very successful
For any NBA player to adopt Kevin Garnett’s mentality or approach to the game is a risky proposition. Garnett’s grit and toughness also came with a brash personality that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Most recently, Victor Wembanyama worked out with Kevin Garnett, wanting to better understand how to succeed with a more slender frame.
Garnett slammed modern NBA players recently, questioning their toughness and mentality. So perhaps he will agree with what Scalabrine is saying.
Mobley has the physical tools to emulate Garnett, but adopting his mentality might be a step too far for the young star.
