The Cavaliers are sitting pretty atop the NBA standings, yet somehow, Donovan Mitchell can’t seem to escape the noise. Scroll through social media, and you’ll see words like “struggling” or “slumping” tossed around about Mitchell.
Really? The Cavs have the league’s best record (21-4), but some fans still want more.
Here’s the big question: Does Mitchell need to drop 40 every night for people to believe he’s playing elite basketball?
Let’s look at the facts, as relayed by Corey Walsh of Fear The Sword, on which this article is based. Mitchell’s counting stats are down — sure. But that’s not the whole story.
- Minutes Watch: Mitchell is averaging 31.9 minutes per game, his lowest mark ever. Less time on the floor equals fewer opportunities to rack up gaudy numbers.
- Team Ball: This season’s Cavs are a well-oiled machine. They’re not reliant on Mitchell carrying the load nightly. Need proof? Last year, the Cavs were 11-11 when Mitchell scored fewer than 25 points. This season? 11-2 in the same scenario. That’s balance, folks.
- Efficiency Machine: Mitchell is tied for the highest assisted rate of his career at 38%. Translation: He’s thriving off the team’s ball movement and doesn’t have to force the issue.
This is a Cavs team with the most efficient offense in the league, humming along whether or not Mitchell dons his Superman cape. And when they have needed him? He’s delivered.
The bottom line: Mitchell is in the middle of another All-NBA season, leading a juggernaut in the East. Nitpicking his box score feels like grasping at straws.
So, to the Cavs faithful: Maybe take a moment to appreciate Mitchell’s evolution as a player and what it’s doing for the team, as Walsh wrote. After all, winning at this level doesn’t happen by accident.
- More Cavaliers | All coverage from Hoops Wire