Evan Mobley (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Nearly every morning, Evan Mobley wakes up to a text message that should both brighten his day and motivate him.
“MVP,” Olin Simplis would write to him nearly every day last season as part of his quest to maximize his talent with both motivational phrases and training tactics. Mobley hasn’t exactly reached that status yet as he enters his fourth NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Simpley believes it will happen soon after already seeing Mobley spend last season making his first NBA All-Star appearance and winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award.
With the Cavaliers hoping to rectify last season’s second-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, Simplis projected Mobley can become an MVP candidate after working with him this past summer to enhance his all-around game.
“I honestly think this kid can be in the top five for the rest of his life while he’s in the NBA starting today,” Simplis told RG.org. “That’s my goal — to continuously bring that out of him. As long as I’m a small start in his circle, that’s what we’re going to be pushing for.”
Simplis spoke extensively with RG.org about Mobley’s off-season training, why Mobley reminds him of Giannis Antetokounmpo & Kevin Garnett, and how Mobley can become more assertive with the Cavs.
Interview With Olin Simplis
– What did Evan’s offseason work with you entail?
– They wanted him more dynamic off the dribble and aggressive. He worked on ball handling, getting to his spots, and attacking the paint. It’s about applying constant pressure on the defense. Evan’s unselfish, so we focused on being more assertive, visible, and vocal. The main thing was being aggressive off the dribble and shooting—shooting, shooting.
– What did the drills look like with his work getting downhill and his ball handling?
– We started with stationary drills using heavy balls to tighten and strengthen his handle. Then we emulated game action where he’s the pick-and-roll ball handler attacking switches. Teams often send smaller defenders, so we drilled punishing the switch—facing up or backing down into post presence. We did a lot of 1-on-2s in tight spaces where he had to create off the dribble. He worked on getting to his mid-range, the nail, the baseline, and driving to the basket. When cut off, he’d reverse pivot and turn the drive into a post. It was about using his ball control, strength, and force through every action he’ll see in games.
– Did you oversee him playing pickup this summer?
– Yeah, we always do. Every summer I believe in competing—1-on-1s with help coming, 3-on-3s, 5-on-5s. Lots of live action.
– What were the highlights of those scrimmages?
– He went against Patrick Williams, Trendon Watford, Klay Thompson, local bigs, and G League guys. That was easy for him, so I matched him up with 6-7 and 6-8 guys, including his teammate De’Andre Hunter, to make him really work off the dribble.
– What did he show during those matchups?
– He showed the growth we wanted—efficient, got to his spots, and played with more force. Last year he’d pass when walled off; now he continues through contact or counters with reverses or spins. The play isn’t over when the defender cuts him off. At seven feet with a high release, he can punish them.
– What do you expect all this work will do for him this season?
– My goal is for him to be in the MVP conversation yearly. He’s dynamic and impacts both ends. It’s not just about scoring but about playing with force and tenacity. Defensively, he’s working on being more vocal. He’s quiet, but he needs moments to say, “I’m here.” That’ll translate to wins.
There were times last year when the focal point could’ve shifted, and outcomes might’ve changed. Donovan Mitchell’s an All-Star, but like Kobe with Shaq, it’s about balance. Evan might score 16 in the first half and not touch it in the second—that can’t happen. He has to stay visible and remind them they have a 6-11 unicorn. Not to disrupt chemistry—they have great chemistry—but to make sure he’s fully utilized.
– So the key is for him to be more vocal and visible without disrupting chemistry?
– For sure. I’ve got three players on the Cavs and close ties to the staff, so I don’t want that misinterpreted.
– But the challenge is on Evan to make his presence more visible?
– One-thousand percent.
– You’ve called him a hybrid of Giannis and KG. How so?
– I’ve known him since high school. Like KG, he has that second bounce and defensive length. Like Giannis, he can grab and go. I think he’s more skilled and fluid than Giannis. He has qualities of both—KG’s motor and Giannis’ transition creation. People thought I was crazy, but I believe in his skillset. It’s not knocking anyone; greatness evolves. I said similar about Shai when people doubted him—he became an MVP and champion. I just see things daily others don’t.
I’m supposed to breathe that belief into my guys. I said Stephon Castle could be an All-Star this year. People thought I was nuts. But that’s my job. I really believe San Antonio makes the playoffs if Castle grows like I expect. I’m passionate about the game, so people think I’m crazy.
– Some around the Cavs compared him to Anthony Davis. Thoughts?
– That’s fair, but AD doesn’t always bring it every night. Giannis and KG do. AD’s phenomenal, but consistency is the key. If Evan has AD’s skill set with Giannis and KG’s mindset, that’s a different beast. Possessions matter.
Today’s game doesn’t always value that, but that’s what separates Kobe, Shai, and Giannis—they valued every possession. That’s what I’m instilling in Evan. I think he can be top-five in the league for the rest of his career. My goal is to keep pulling that out of him.
– What does he need to do to become a face of the league?
– He’s in a good situation and winning. Visibility and health drive both MVP and star status. Cleveland’s set up well long-term; he just needs to keep growing.
We use the phrase, “Be uncommon among common men.” Getting to the NBA is uncommon, but now be uncommon among them. That means ice baths, cold plunges, extra shots, even starting a book club for mindset resets. I want him obsessed with greatness.
This summer he took control of his career—often came in with his own plan, knowing what to target. I’d adjust and add, but he’s driving his development. He’s becoming self-aware of where to improve.
With his foundation and intangibles, the sky’s the limit. He’s already a DPOY and All-NBA player, yet still a blank canvas with so much more growth ahead.
– Favorite defensive growth moments from his DPOY season?
– There was one play—he blocked a shot, sprinted the floor, sealed, and dunked. I told him he can get those sequences three or four times a game. That’s when I knew he was starting to see it—dominating both ends on the same possession. That’s iconic. Every day during the season I texted him “MVP.” It’s all about visualization.
– What does he need to do to defend his DPOY award?
– With Jarrett Allen there, some reps and stats will be shared. I’m glad he got it last year. Honestly, he might’ve been even better defensively the year before. He just needs to keep improving and being impactful. Having another All-Star big naturally takes away some opportunities, but that’s fine. Wemby and others will be in the mix too. Not winning again doesn’t mean regression—it’s just a tough award to repeat. As long as he keeps growing defensively and never takes plays off, that’s success.
– What other areas of growth did you see this summer?
– Leadership. He had all his teammates out in L.A. for a week—set up workouts, lifts, and dinners himself. He orchestrated a minicamp, taking ownership as a young leader. That was a huge step for him.