Mar 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cavs' Evan Mobley Grabbing Honor Raises Question Among Heat Among Heat Fans

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated May 23, 2025 7:42 PM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley beat out Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat for a third time this season. On Friday, he was named to the All-NBA second-team. This comes a month after he won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Cavs also cruised past the Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, so it's been a rough stretch for Heat fans regarding Adebayo.

Bam Adebayo is still better than Evan Mobley.
— Greg Sylvander (@GregSylvander) May 23, 2025

This season, Mobley accomplished individual accolades fans have expected from Adebayo. Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his fourth season. Both players had similar numbers _Adebayo averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 0.7 blocks _ but Mobley had team success on his side. The Cavaliers (64-18) were the No. 1 seed in the East before falling to the New York Knicks in the second round.

Bam Adebayo getting lapped by Evan Mobley, Julius Randle, Myles Turner. What a season man
— Gus (@Ya_Boy_Gusss) May 22, 2025

Naturally, it caused some fans to question Adebayo's worth after seeing this from Mobley. To be fair, Adebayo has exceeded all expectations since being drafted in 2017. He's made the All-Star Game four times. He's made the All-Defensive first-team once and chosen four times for second-team.

Seeing Evan Mobley get a DPOY before Bam pic.twitter.com/SZBrNu36q2
— Heat Culture (@HeatCulture13) April 24, 2025

The uproar is likely from fans having so many expectations of Adebayo this season. There was talk of him taking over the lead scoring role from Jimmy Butler, especially after an impressive showing in the Olympics last summer. While Adebayo did not regress, the progress was minimal. Tyler Herro was the leading man all season.

Now, it leaves fans with another summer wondering if this year is finally when Adebayo hits the next level.

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This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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