Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley has launched into a different stratosphere since early January. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Rubik’s Cube master, Evan Mobley’s personal best is under one minute.

He’s not satisfied with that mark. Sometimes in the locker room after games, he will start spinning, trying to break his own record while the video cameras roll and timers tick. That’s how Mobley is wired. Off the court and on it. He wants it all.

“Evan is a perfectionist, and he spends all of his time that you guys don’t see working on his craft,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said two months ago. “Evan knows how good he wants to be. I think he still believes. We all do. There’s a version of Evan that is going to dominate this league. We’ve seen it I think consistently in defensive moments, but there’s an offensive version of that as well and I think it’s coming.”

Mobley’s ethos has spurred a near-three-month surge. The proverbial leap that so many forecast.

“You see the growth every game. He gets better and better,” Darius Garland said. “He’s really starting to find himself as a basketball player in this league. Just seeing a glimpse of it. He shows a glimpse of it every night. He’s still a 21-year-old kid getting used to the physicality of the game. He’s going to be really, really good. He’s going to be an All-Star in this league for sure.”

A matchup between the Cavs and Suns in January has helped Evan Mobley. AP

Bickerstaff doesn’t remember one specific moment that triggered Mobley’s next-level breakout. But it’s not hard to identify.

Mobley isn’t used to failing. On Jan. 4, the youngster got bullied by the seasoned Phoenix Suns. Mobley shot 2 of 9 and finished with six points -- his second-lowest total this season. He also committed four turnovers and had a team-worst plus-minus rating of minus-eight. Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton -- listed at 7-foot-0 and 250 pounds -- had 15 points and 18 rebounds, putting his imprint all over the outcome while Mobley was overmatched.

Call it a New Year’s resolution. Perhaps an epiphany.

Mobley’s always been a difference-maker. He’s looked the part since joining the Cavs as the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft -- another franchise pillar of the post-LeBron James era.

But since early January, following that uncharacteristic catastrophe versus the Suns, Mobley has soared into a different stratosphere.

“It’s hard to say and put a number on it or quantify it, but I think he is a much better basketball player now than he was even in October or December,” Bickerstaff said. “I think people get hung up a lot on the numbers. You can watch it. If you’ve got a feel for the game, you see where he can impact the game in the way that he does. Now for the naked eye, he’s throwing numbers to go along with it.”

Around that time, Mobley had a conversation with the coaching staff about the nightly impact he would have on the team and the game. He couldn’t let that happen again.

He vowed to make changes. He wanted to get even stronger. He inhales a massive plate of pasta before games and chugs creatine afterward. He’s fallen in love with the weight room, going in there every day since the beginning of January. Before practice. After practice. Game days. Off days.

“I don’t think he’s taken a day off, to the point where we probably need to tell him to get out of the weight room,” Donovan Mitchell said. “No one told him to do that. No one said this is what you should do. He took it upon himself. He did that on his own. That speaks to his willingness to want to get better and you look at the way he’s played since the beginning of 2023, whatever it is, up until now, his numbers are phenomenal on both ends of the floor. And not to say that he was playing poorly, but he just took it to another level on both ends of the floor. Now you’re seeing the credit he deserves. He’s third in Defensive Player of the Year. He should be first, to be completely honest with you. I feel like he’s taken the step that everyone’s been talking about all year. He’s taken that step for sure.”

Added strength has not only built muscle but confidence.

Over the last 34 games, Mobley is averaging 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 blocks while shooting 54.9% from the field, including 59.6% on 2-pointers.

With him on the court during this stretch of dominance, the Cavs have a net rating -- the combination of offensive and defensive rating -- of 9.8. Without him, that mark craters to minus-1.2.

“I feel like he’s one who gets better every single game,” teammate Caris LeVert said. “When you’re that young, every little bit of experience helps. He’s growing each and every game, especially when he has to play the five some games and then going back to his natural position at the four, I think he’s just soaking up so much knowledge in it. I feel like he has gotten a lot better since the beginning of the season, let alone last year.”

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley has gotten more shot attempts over the last few months. AP

There’s a natural learning curve for young players.

Even though Mobley had a standout first season and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Toronto swingman Scottie Barnes, who was selected one slot after Mobley in the draft, Cleveland’s phenom needed to take lessons -- sometimes harsh ones -- in year one. He didn’t know exactly what to expect. He had to get familiar with opponents and scouting reports. He was thinking more instead of anticipating.

Mobley entered his sophomore campaign with high hopes. NBA general managers tabbed him as the league’s breakout player. The organization was forecasting superstardom. Cavs assistant Greg Buckner -- one of the coaches granted the vital task of overseeing Mobley’s development -- finished every practice session the same way, with a pointed three-letter message to help remind Mobley of his potential:

As in, Hall of Fame. Talk about lofty expectations. But the roster changed with the addition of Donovan Mitchell. It led to an adjustment. For everyone. Mobley included.

With Garland and Mitchell -- a pair of dynamic, ball-dominant guards -- Cleveland’s other players were sometimes forced to take a step back as a result. The bigs needed to pick their spots without disrupting the offense. That role change played part in Mobley’s lower-than-expected offensive output early on. There weren’t as many touches or shot attempts. He wasn’t a consistent focal point in the pick-and-roll-heavy attack. Not as much work from the elbow -- his favorite place on the court.

Production is tied to opportunity.

In the first three months, Mobley was held to single figures six times. He failed to register double-digit shot attempts in 14 of those 36 games. He averaged just 14.3 points on 10.5 shots.

But everything’s changed since the eye-opener against Phoenix.

Mobley’s shot attempts are up to 13.6 per game over the last 34. He had his highest-scoring month in February, averaging 19.2 points. He has scored single digits just once -- a nine-point outing against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 29. His involvement in the offense has been static, with double-figure shot attempts in all but three games. He is playing through contact and holding his own against bigger, stronger, more physically mature guys. He’s not floating out to the perimeter as much. There are post-ups, fadeaways and jump-hooks. He’s working his way to the free-throw line. Finishing with force.

“When you have that mentality of throwing around weights and throwing around iron, you feel stronger and you’re willing to go seek out more because you know you can hit and still finish,” Bickerstaff said of Mobley. “I think he’s just growing in confidence, his strength and his ability to finish through traffic.”

A subtle strategic adjustment has helped. Recognizing the opponent’s scouting report led to his shot being timed, Mobley has relied heavily on a pump-fake, causing defenders to commit fouls or get out of position.

“I feel like as a big guy, if I give a good pump fake, they’re probably going to go for it,” Mobley said following Friday’s 117-94 win in which he finished with 20 points in a matchup against 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis. “If they don’t, I’m already at the basket. I’ve just been pump-faking more, and then once they’re in the air just trying to draw contact and get the foul.”

Mobley has also been tapping into his unique playmaking skill set.

“He’s elite in the pocket and the capability of making all the plays from there,” Bickerstaff said. “He can pass it and obviously, he can finish it, but there’s not a lot that he can’t do when he catches the ball in that space. Puts a ton of pressure on defenses.”

Even though the term “aggressive” is an overused platitude in the NBA, it helps describe Mobley’s flip.

Considered quiet and reserved, always trying to make the right play no matter the situation, the Cavs have urged Mobley to be more of an offensive hunter. The word “aggressive” is even on a notecard hanging in his locker at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, something Bickerstaff handed out to every player in hopes of clearly defining their role.

“I feel like I’m better at attacking my spots, rebounding and pushing -- added that to my arsenal as well – and finishing strong around the rim,” Mobley said when asked about how he is different in year two. “Just trying to impose my will and always stay aggressive as best as I can. I was just trying to feel my way through it the first year and see how the league really is. We had a different team last year compared to this year and things have definitely changed. I like where I’m at and the position we are in as a team. I love winning. Just want to keep it going.”

Center Jarrett Allen has missed the last four games because of a right eye contusion. That’s led to Mobley shifting over from his natural power forward spot, with rugged defender Lamar Stevens temporarily re-entering the starting lineup. The Cavs run many of their offensive actions with Allen as the screener -- he’s one of the league leaders in screen assists. But without Allen, that responsibility has shifted to Mobley.

It’s a good trial run for the playoffs, when Mobley will be the starting 4 and backup center.

It has also allowed Cleveland to get another extended look at the Garland-Mobley and Mitchell-Mobley dance -- a slight variation that could allow the Cavs to put lesser defenders in those pick actions. Call it playoff preparation for Mobley. Perhaps even a window into how he will handle that spotlight.

“You typically know the makeup of the guy and how they handle pressure situations, even if it’s not a playoff, right? Even if it’s a fourth quarter, it’s a tight game, it’s a big game, a small thing as a TV game, you see how guys perform in those moments and typically that carries over,” Bickerstaff said. “Can’t put the pressure of a playoff game on any other situation or circumstance to know for sure, but typically you can have a good feel for it from that.”

Because of the Cavs’ success and Mobley’s continued evolution, he is starting to receive more national attention for Defensive Player of the Year.

In NBA.com’s recent ranking, Mobley was third, behind just Milwaukee tower Brook Lopez and Memphis defensive anchor Jaren Jackson Jr., who missed some time earlier this season following knee surgery.

Cleveland, Milwaukee and Memphis have been battling for the top defensive spot. Despite two smaller guards, the Cavs are currently No. 1. Allen has played part in that ranking. So has Mobley.

How can anyone decipher between the two when casting a ballot?

“That’s a tough one,” LeVert said when asked specifically who deserves it more between Allen and Mobley. “I don’t know if I could pick one. They both should be up there though.”

The impact metrics are in Mobley’s favor.

He ranks first in defensive win shares and defensive real plus-minus, fifth in defensive rating and 19th in defensive box plus-minus. He is also eighth in contested 2s and first in contested 3s. In all, Mobley has contested the third-most shot attempts. That outside-inside defensive versatility -- an ability to guard every position -- helps set him apart.

“It starts with his intellect and his understanding of the game,” Bickerstaff said. “That allows him to be in multiple places at once. It allows him to anticipate plays and be early and not always reacting. He’s not just a guy who has to stand in the paint and can only protect the rim. We feel confident with him long term, where some big guys get played out, he’s one of those guys that, because of his ability to do so many different things, he’ll be able to stay on the floor the longer and longer we go.”

And yet, when it comes to Mobley, the natural-born idealist, he’s still not satisfied.

“Evan always feels he’s capable of more,” Bickerstaff said. “It never just starts at the top and then you just stay there. I think he’s done a phenomenal job. His impact on winning is what’s the most important thing and what’s so unique and special. There’s a bunch of guys in this league who individual numbers get better, but their teams never get any better. How do you impact winning? He does that at a high level.”

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