Let’s quantify Evan Mobley’s case as a Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) candidate for the 2024-25 NBA season, with a specific focus on comparing him to Dyson Daniels, another strong contender. Both players bring unique defensive strengths—Mobley as a rim-protecting big man and Daniels as a perimeter-disrupting guard—so we’ll break this down using stats, impact, and context as of April 4, 2025.
### 1. Individual Defensive Stats
- **Blocks:**
- **Mobley:** Averaging 1.6 blocks per game (BPG) over 66 games, totaling 106 blocks. His block percentage is 4.8%, showcasing his dominance as a rim protector.
- **Daniels:** Averaging 0.66 BPG across 59 games, with 38 total blocks. His block percentage is lower (around 1.5%, estimated from available data), reflecting his guard-oriented role.
- **Edge:** Mobley. His rim protection is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s defense, and his block numbers dwarf Daniels’, aligning with the historical DPOY preference for bigs who anchor the paint (e.g., Gobert, Jackson Jr.).
- **Steals:**
- **Mobley:** 0.8 steals per game, totaling 53 steals. He’s solid but not elite in this category.
- **Daniels:** Leads the league with 3.0 steals per game, totaling 177 steals. He’s on pace for 232 steals if he plays all 82 games, a mark not hit since John Stockton’s 244 in 1991-92.
- **Edge:** Daniels. His steal rate (4.2%) is historic, making him the league’s premier ball hawk and a rare guard contender.
- **Deflections:**
- **Mobley:** Exact deflection stats aren’t widely available, but his length and activity suggest he’s impactful (likely 2-3 per game, based on past trends).
- **Daniels:** Leads the NBA with 5.9 deflections per game and 344 total deflections, far ahead of second-place Kelly Oubre Jr. (233).
- **Edge:** Daniels. His disruption on the perimeter is unmatched, a key differentiator for a guard in this race.
### 2. Advanced Defensive Metrics
- **Defensive Rating:**
- **Mobley:** 108.5 (12th in the NBA entering April 2, 2025), reflecting his role in Cleveland’s top-10 defense (around 108.0 team rating).
- **Daniels:** Individual defensive rating isn’t specified, but Atlanta’s team rating is middling (likely 112-114), and his plus/minus is -2.4, suggesting less team-wide impact.
- **Edge:** Mobley. His rating benefits from Cleveland’s elite system, while Daniels’ team context drags him down.
- **Defensive Win Shares (DWS):**
- **Mobley:** 3.4, ahead of Draymond Green’s 3.0 and likely Daniels’ (estimated 2.5-3.0, based on steals and team performance).
- **Daniels:** Exact DWS isn’t provided, but his steals and deflections suggest a strong contribution, though Atlanta’s sub-.500 record (around 30-35) limits his total.
- **Edge:** Mobley. His team’s 60-15 record amplifies his win-share impact.
- **Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus (D-EPM):**
- **Mobley:** Likely in the 2.0-3.0 range (based on prior seasons and Cleveland’s success), though exact 2024-25 figures aren’t here.
- **Daniels:** Reported at +2.3, ranking him among the top 10 defenders, per Sportscasting. This is impressive for a guard.
- **Edge:** Push. Daniels’ number is concrete and elite, while Mobley’s inferred range is competitive but unconfirmed.
### 3. Team Defensive Impact
- **Mobley:** Cleveland boasts a top-10 defensive rating (around 108.0), with Mobley as the anchor. Since February 1, 2025, they’ve had the third-best rating league-wide, and he’s averaged 2.2 BPG in that stretch (sixth-most). His presence deters drives, with opponents shooting 1.9% worse than expected against him historically.
- **Daniels:** Atlanta’s defense is average at best, with a team rating likely in the 112-114 range. Daniels’ individual brilliance (steals, deflections) doesn’t translate to a top-tier unit, partly due to a weaker supporting cast.
- **Edge:** Mobley. DPOY voters often favor players on elite defensive teams (e.g., Gobert with Utah/Minnesota), and Cleveland’s dominance gives him a clear advantage.
### 4. Versatility and Matchups
- **Mobley:** Guards 1-5 effectively, per Donovan Mitchell, excelling in pick-and-roll defense and isolation. His 7-foot frame and 7’4” wingspan make him a nightmare at the rim and on switches. In a March 25, 2025, game vs. Portland, he held opponents to 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%).
- **Daniels:** Elite perimeter defender, routinely taking on the opponent’s best guard/wing (e.g., Mitchell, Tatum, Lillard). His 6’8” frame for a guard allows some positional flexibility, but he’s less impactful against bigs.
- **Edge:** Mobley. His ability to guard all positions and dominate the paint outweighs Daniels’ perimeter focus, aligning with DPOY’s traditional big-man bias.
### 5. Narrative and Context
- **Mobley:** Benefits from Victor Wembanyama’s injury (out since February 20, 2025), Cleveland’s 60-15 record, and two Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month awards (February and earlier). His odds are -270 (73% implied probability), per Dimers.
- **Daniels:** A historic steals season and Most Improved Player buzz bolster his case, but Atlanta’s sub-.500 record and lack of team success hurt him. His odds trail at +450 or worse, reflecting a 18-20% chance.
- **Edge:** Mobley. Team success and voter tendencies (16 of the last 20 DPOYs were bigs) heavily favor him.
### Why Mobley’s a Candidate Over Daniels
Mobley’s case hinges on his rim protection (1.6 BPG, 4.8% block rate), elite team defense (top-10 rating, 60 wins), and versatility, which align with DPOY archetypes. Daniels’ steals (3.0 SPG) and deflections (5.9 per game) are historic, but his team’s mediocrity and guard status work against him—only two guards (Gary Payton, Marcus Smart) have won since 1983. Mobley’s +9.1 plus/minus vs. Daniels’ -2.4 further highlights their impact disparity. If Mobley sustains his 2+ BPG pace and Cleveland secures the No. 1 seed, he’s the likely winner. Daniels needs a late surge and voter willingness to buck tradition to overtake him.