Donovan Mitchell, Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers is making an early case for MVP, and head coach Kenny Atkinson gave a blunt reaction to his play.
Despitea loss to the New York Knicks to start the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-0since and remain toptitle contenders in the Eastern Conference. After a disappointing finish in lastseason’s playoffs, it has once again been theCavs’ stars of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley leading the team.
WhileMobley’s recent rise has garnered attention from around the league, Mitchell remains a top guard in the NBA, butaccording to head coach Kenny Atkinson, heisn’t getting theright amount of praise. Speaking to the press off a recent win, Atkinson had one word to describe Mitchell after his hot start.
“Underrated,”Atkinson said on the franchise star. “First Team All-NBA.Idon’t know why peopledon’t talk about him more. Probably becausehe’s no controversy,low key, humble, does that equal underratedbecause of the personality? Idon’t know.”
MitchellMuse
Donovan Mitchell vs the Celtics last season:
35 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 3 3PM 35 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 6 3PM 31 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 4 3PM 41 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST, 5 3PM
Predict Don’s stats for today!
Through four games, Mitchell is averaging a league-seventh 31.3 points per game on 56.4% shooting, along with two rebounds and four assists.He’s made six All-Star games, but last seasonwas the first time he was named to the First Team All-NBA,coming after a Second Team nod in 2022-23.
Atkinson’s Justified Praise For Donovan Mitchell
The numbers have been there forMitchell’s entire career, butit’s been the winningthat’s been a roadblockfor his rise to superstardom. Averaging 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists through his now-nine-year NBA tenure are strong, even Hall of Fame level, buthis combined 28-35 playoff record with the Cavaliers and Utah Jazzcan’t be overlooked.
However,that same issue of comparingthe numbers against playoff successwas the same thing that happened toMichael Jordan. Atkinson said he told his star that he needs to enter that type of ‘mode‘if he wants tobe recognized as one of the best.
“It’s a fine balance, as you know better than anybody. You wanthim to be aggressive, like sometimeshe’s gotta go into a Michael Jordan mode,”Atkinson said before the season. “I feel like, you gotta go there. There are moments in the game when he knows he has to do that. What he did last season was empower the group.”
Mitchell was one of ten players listed on NBA.com in a preseason MVP ladder, and the ninth-best player in the league on a recent article ranking the top 100 players on Bleacher Report. He helped lead the Cavaliers to their best record last year since LeBronJames’ first stint with the team.
Mitchell’s numbers have evenjumped from last season, and while the Cavaliers areon a strong start, he remains a relative afterthought considering the national conversationsaround players like James, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and others.
Mitchell finished fifth in MVP voting last season, and if he keeps up his current numbers, another top-five finish is likely in the cards.
Cavaliers Continue As Title Threats
After their season-ending series against the Indiana Pacers last year, the Cavaliers’ onlytruethreat in the East this year is the Knicks. Both teams have led the odds for top contenders in the conference, and even after their opening night loss, that remains the case a week into the season.
Along with Mitchell, Mobley has been crucial for Cleveland as Darius Garland continues to recover from toe surgery.So far,he’s put up averages of 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists,two blocks, and 1.8 steals.
“Cleveland’s defense has carried the team through the early part of the schedule while its offense is still down a few key players, but keep an eye on Evan Mobley,”Jamal Collier wrote on what has stood out about Cleveland after four games. “He has started the season with the highest usage rate of his career, a concerted effort from the Cavs to give him even more offensive responsibilities.”
Cleveland ranks third in steals per game, first in deflections, and sixth in defensive efficiency. After last yearwas marked by their high-scoring offense, this season, Atkinson has made defense a focus, especially considering the length they gained on the wings.
It’s also been Sam Merrill,De’Andre Hunter, Jarrett Allen, and Larry Nance Jr. who have picked up the pieces inGarland’s absence to keep the Cavaliers a worthy threat night-to-night.
Even with their All-Star point guard out, Cleveland has wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons to begin the year. Barring lingering injuries and the previously seen playoff woes, the Cavaliers will continue to be title threats with the Mitchell, Mobley, and Garland-led group.