Evan Mobley's defensive impact has transformed the Cleveland Cavaliers since his return from injury. The team has gone 2-0, winning by a combined 31 points, while dramatically improving their defensive metrics.

Key defensive improvements with Mobley:

• Points allowed dropped from 112.5 to 94 points per game
• Opponent field goal percentages decreased significantly:
  • Without Mobley: 46.6-49.4%
  • With Mobley: 39.8-43.8%

Mobley's defensive presence allows teammates to be more aggressive in man-to-man coverage while taking on smaller defensive roles. The team's defensive rating with Mobley is 104.5, but drops by 12 points (worst in league) when he's off the court.

While his offense remains a work in progress (averaging 12.5 points and 8 rebounds since return), Mobley's defensive impact makes him the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year over competitors like Scottie Barnes.

Impact on teammates:

• Every Cavs starter achieving career-high defensive ratings
• Teams shoot fewer paint shots and struggle in pick-and-roll
• Defense can play more aggressively with Mobley as anchor

Mobley's elite defensive abilities and overall impact on team success demonstrate why he's considered the top rookie this season, despite modest offensive statistics.

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