When Kenny Atkinson first met with Donovan Mitchell after being hired as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his primary focus was on developing Evan Mobley, which he identified as crucial for the team’s future success.
Atkinson expressed to ESPN how he communicated this vision to Mitchell.
“‘How does this team make the next step?'” Atkinson recounted. “‘No. 1,’ he said, ‘You don’t know how good Evan is.’ And then he emphasized, ‘We have to empower him.'”
At the time, Mobley had already earned a reputation as one of the NBA’s top young defenders, widely respected for his rim protection and versatility on that end.
However, his role on offense had not evolved as much, which limited his overall impact on games.
Atkinson believed that unlocking Mobley’s full potential offensively would be vital for the team’s development, and this season, there has been a noticeable shift in how the player is being utilized.
Instead of shying away from taking on more responsibilities, Mobley is now being given the green light to lead in transition plays and assert himself more in half-court sets, a transformation that’s brought about greater confidence in his overall game.
Donovan Mitchell has embraced this change, recognizing the importance of allowing his younger teammates, especially Mobley and Darius Garland, to develop their skills.
As he explained, “I think that’s been my main focus. I’m allowing myself to take a step back. I know where I can plug and play… I’m not forcing anything. So, for me, that’s what’s going to take us to the next level – [Darius], Evan, those guys continuing to take that next step.”
Mitchell’s self-awareness and willingness to let his teammates grow and thrive not only strengthens their bond but also accelerates the team’s growth as a whole.
Atkinson, for his part, is seeing the results of this mindset shift in Mobley.
“He’s starting to believe how good he is,” Atkinson remarked, highlighting the shift in Mobley’s mental game as just as important as his on-court development.
The combination of Mobley gaining more confidence in his offensive game, alongside the leadership and selflessness Mitchell and others bring to the table, is setting the stage for the Cavaliers to take that next step as a team – one that hinges on young players stepping into their roles with increased responsibility and confidence.
This adjustment represents more than just tactical changes; it speaks to a broader culture shift in Cleveland, where the focus is on development, empowerment, and growth, not only for individual players but for the team as a whole.
Mobley’s evolution as an offensive threat could well be the key to the Cavaliers’ future success, setting them up for sustained contention in the coming seasons.
Kenny Atkinson Emphasized To Donovan Mitchell Need To 'Empower' Evan Mobley https://t.co/xxO7XxNuay
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 8, 2025
