PFFFT!!
Starter
SWIFT AS A CATby Kevin Anthony Jones - November 12, 2004
</IMG>Cuttino Mobley is worth to be called 'Captain'Team Leader? You bet.
Future All-Star? Quite Possibly.
Major part of the Magic's success this season? Most definitely.
Despite all of the talk of the heroics of Steve Francis and the return of Grant Hill, there is one man who continues to lurk in the shadows, like a cat, patiently waiting to make his move.
Cuttino Mobley is the starting Shooting Guard for the Orlando Magic and if you haven't heard much about him, it's probably because he's one of the most underrated guards in the league. A product of the University of Rhode Island, Mobley has made a career of being the unsung hero with little fanfare. While Francis weeps all of the national attention and the "Franchise" nicknames, the man appropriately named "Cat," continues to be the Pippen to Francis' Jordan. Scottie Pippen never received the accolades that he deserved and now that his career is over, we can hardly remember his All-Star caliber performances during his tenure as a Bull, Rocket, or Trailblazer. For Mobley, the journey is all too similar.
In Houston, Mobley was the sidekick to the former Maryland star. Francis brought the flash and flare, while Mobley brought the substance. When Francis was traded to Orlando, he couldn't have been happier when he realized that his backcourt mate would be joining him on his trip to Walt Disney World. Francis' success is also rooted in the success of Mobley, and together they make a great tandem. They quite easily form the best backcourt in the Eastern Conference, and Orlando Magic fans have been pleasantly surprised at the chemistry between both players, and all are excited about the type of game they bring every night.
But Mobley's quiet contributions don't stop there. He is a leader both on and off the court. He has already begun the blueprint of preparing weekly Sunday brunches for his Magic teammates and coaching staff. While most players would rather be in bed resting their bodies, Mobley believes that this form of team bonding off the court can only be beneficial on it. Mobley is also vocal. After the Magic recently laid an egg against expansion team Charlotte, Mobley interrupted his locker room interview to remind his teammates about the importance of winning games and the necessity of coming out even stronger in the next game. As a leader, he didn't falter in Magic's win against the Dallas Mavericks. He backed up his strong words and had a successful game until he developed a muscle strain that limited his minutes, but before he departed, he left an impression on the game and on his players. He demanded maximum effort from his Magic teammates, and he himself led by example.
Mobley has the potential of becoming an All-Star in a guard driven conference. Much like the success of Milwaukee Bucks star Michael Redd, Mobley is simply a winner. He doesn't excite you with his athleticism or ability to make "Sportscenter" spectacular plays, but Mobley is capable of putting up points in droves (17 points in the fourth quarter against the Bobcats), and is an above average defender who takes his job and responsibilities as a leader very seriously. Mobley will continue to be the star player who stands in the shadows, doing everything necessary for the Magic to win. If Orlando can continue with a positive season, the rest of the league is sure to take notice, and although Francis and Hill will be the first names mentioned, Mobley's name won't be far behind.
A recent game against the Washington Wizards helped to highlight just how much of a presence Mobley is for the Magic. While not the superstar player that he has replaced, his leadership qualities and scoring abilities are something that fits perfectly into what the Magic are trying to accomplish this season, and his absence against the Wizards was certainly felt. The defense suffered, the offense suffered, and the team continuity suffered. Francis and Hill are the prime time players, but Mobley is the quiet assassin.
Contrary to what many Magic fans believe, the true success of the team this season will by and large be based on the contributions of Cuttino Mobley. He is the vocal leader who encourages his teammates to go that extra mile. He is the budding All-Star that no one knows about. And he is the valuable asset that was the true steal of the July trade. Mobley will fail to disappoint and give maximum effort both on and off the floor. Unlike last season, the Magic will not quit and much of that success should fall in the hands of Mobley. Grant Hill maybe the captain of the Magic, but Cuttino Mobley should be the one wearing the "C" on his jersey.
Future All-Star? Quite Possibly.
Major part of the Magic's success this season? Most definitely.
Despite all of the talk of the heroics of Steve Francis and the return of Grant Hill, there is one man who continues to lurk in the shadows, like a cat, patiently waiting to make his move.
Cuttino Mobley is the starting Shooting Guard for the Orlando Magic and if you haven't heard much about him, it's probably because he's one of the most underrated guards in the league. A product of the University of Rhode Island, Mobley has made a career of being the unsung hero with little fanfare. While Francis weeps all of the national attention and the "Franchise" nicknames, the man appropriately named "Cat," continues to be the Pippen to Francis' Jordan. Scottie Pippen never received the accolades that he deserved and now that his career is over, we can hardly remember his All-Star caliber performances during his tenure as a Bull, Rocket, or Trailblazer. For Mobley, the journey is all too similar.
In Houston, Mobley was the sidekick to the former Maryland star. Francis brought the flash and flare, while Mobley brought the substance. When Francis was traded to Orlando, he couldn't have been happier when he realized that his backcourt mate would be joining him on his trip to Walt Disney World. Francis' success is also rooted in the success of Mobley, and together they make a great tandem. They quite easily form the best backcourt in the Eastern Conference, and Orlando Magic fans have been pleasantly surprised at the chemistry between both players, and all are excited about the type of game they bring every night.
But Mobley's quiet contributions don't stop there. He is a leader both on and off the court. He has already begun the blueprint of preparing weekly Sunday brunches for his Magic teammates and coaching staff. While most players would rather be in bed resting their bodies, Mobley believes that this form of team bonding off the court can only be beneficial on it. Mobley is also vocal. After the Magic recently laid an egg against expansion team Charlotte, Mobley interrupted his locker room interview to remind his teammates about the importance of winning games and the necessity of coming out even stronger in the next game. As a leader, he didn't falter in Magic's win against the Dallas Mavericks. He backed up his strong words and had a successful game until he developed a muscle strain that limited his minutes, but before he departed, he left an impression on the game and on his players. He demanded maximum effort from his Magic teammates, and he himself led by example.
Mobley has the potential of becoming an All-Star in a guard driven conference. Much like the success of Milwaukee Bucks star Michael Redd, Mobley is simply a winner. He doesn't excite you with his athleticism or ability to make "Sportscenter" spectacular plays, but Mobley is capable of putting up points in droves (17 points in the fourth quarter against the Bobcats), and is an above average defender who takes his job and responsibilities as a leader very seriously. Mobley will continue to be the star player who stands in the shadows, doing everything necessary for the Magic to win. If Orlando can continue with a positive season, the rest of the league is sure to take notice, and although Francis and Hill will be the first names mentioned, Mobley's name won't be far behind.
A recent game against the Washington Wizards helped to highlight just how much of a presence Mobley is for the Magic. While not the superstar player that he has replaced, his leadership qualities and scoring abilities are something that fits perfectly into what the Magic are trying to accomplish this season, and his absence against the Wizards was certainly felt. The defense suffered, the offense suffered, and the team continuity suffered. Francis and Hill are the prime time players, but Mobley is the quiet assassin.
Contrary to what many Magic fans believe, the true success of the team this season will by and large be based on the contributions of Cuttino Mobley. He is the vocal leader who encourages his teammates to go that extra mile. He is the budding All-Star that no one knows about. And he is the valuable asset that was the true steal of the July trade. Mobley will fail to disappoint and give maximum effort both on and off the floor. Unlike last season, the Magic will not quit and much of that success should fall in the hands of Mobley. Grant Hill maybe the captain of the Magic, but Cuttino Mobley should be the one wearing the "C" on his jersey.
Last edited:
