'They've seen you get punked': Carmelo Anthony critical of Cavaliers' weakness

The Cavaliers have all the necessary pieces to contend for a championship: stars, depth, roster balance and high-level coaching. Yet, if they continue to stumble when the games matter most, the core will likely find itself being dismantled before too long.

Evan Mobley holds the keys for the Cavaliers

Anthony also highlighted Evan Mobley as a genuine swing factor for the Cavaliers, not just this season, but also in the years to come. 

“He has to take that next step. If Mobley gets that three-ball down, he’ll be unstoppable," Anthony said. My thing about Mobley is, is he tough enough to go through this and want that? Does he really do he want that from a toughness standpoint?" 

Donovan Mitchell echoed a similar sentiment earlier this summer, during a June 27 interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. The All-Star guard detailed what he wants to see from Mobley, and why he's an integral part of the Cavaliers' hunt for a championship.

“My push to Ev is that I need 20 shots," Mitchell said. "But he has to go and say that, like ‘Give me the ball’, like being able to demand it. For us to be great, he has to continue to take a step…So I tell him, ‘Nah, we need more.' Demand it. If I don’t pass you the ball, get on my a--. If DG doesn’t give you the ball, get on his a--...And be okay with that.. He’s ready for it, he’s excited for it.”

Mobley has the size and unique skill set to be a perennial MVP candidate in the future. That said, he must show that he's willing to embrace his role as a star and all the pressure that comes with it. If he can't do that, there will be a ceiling on the Cavaliers, and that ceiling will be below what is required of a championship team.

Cleveland is heading into a "prove-it" season. How they navigate their path to, and through, the playoffs will dictate whether the current core gets another shot at running things back.