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Donovan Mitchell: All-NBA BEST Team
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Thelastcavsfan
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Mitchell is like a worse version of Dame in his prime. He’s fun to watch and if you resign him great, but you’re not winning anything with him as your number 1. Not even close
Pierre Pan
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Fedor’s latest on Mitchell’s injury is quite encouraging. His play in the 2nd half was evidence of such :
apple.news
PHOENIX — Donovan Mitchell is his own worst critic. Always has been.
But as the Cavs’ leading scorer continues to manage a lingering knee injury that has limited him to just eight games since the All-Star break and zapped some of the signature explosiveness which made him a one-time MVP candidate, Mitchell is learning the importance of patience — and grace.
“I’m trying to be easier on myself,” Mitchell said following the 122-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns. “That’s the biggest thing. Have to be patient with these things. Not going to just come out and be what I was. Going to take time to build that and that’s what this is for and that’s why I’m playing these games — to get back and get these reps.
“I want to be perfect for the group. I’m continuing to build so when we get to the playoffs, I’m ready to go.”
Mitchell went through something similar a few years back with the Utah Jazz. In 2020-21, he missed the final 16 regular-season games and Utah’s playoff opener after tearing three ligaments in his right ankle. There wasn’t an opportunity to regain rhythm or previous playing form ahead of the playoffs. No time to shake off the rust, build back up or work through the growing pains.
He was thrust right into the crucible. He doesn’t want to do that again.
Even though Mitchell admits the timing of this injury — and how it’s impacting his play — has been a challenge, that experience in Utah, as bothersome as it was back then, has provided perspective when it comes to this current knee issue.
“Having to mentally fight through that has helped prepare me for this and allowed me to understand to give myself grace,” Mitchell said. “In my head, that allowed me to sit back and allow myself to get rest. But it’s tough. It’s tough. Not the easiest thing in the world. Mentally, you have to continue to push. I will get there. I’m confident in that. Gotta be patient and just be 1% better every day with this.”
Mitchell reiterated that there’s nothing structurally wrong. No tear. No sprain. No strain. In past injury reports, Cleveland listed it as a bone bruise, one that required a platelet-rich plasma injection in early March. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has used the term tendonitis, saying that the problem built over time and then flared up.
“It’s nothing crazy. Nothing structurally wrong. Nothing to be concerned about,” Mitchell said. “I’m not going to make things worse by doing what I’m doing. That’s a blessing. I think it’s just putting it all in perspective. Minute by minute, if you can take those little steps and not skip steps, that’s the biggest thing. Ultimately, you go out there and play. That’s part of the process. Just taking it step by step and not getting frustrated. This is a really tight time of year. The best thing for it is rest. But we don’t have time for that. Just be myself, continue to build, continue to get better and when the playoffs come, do my thing.
“I will be ready.”
With Wednesday’s loss, the third-seeded Cavs dropped to 46-31, a game and a half back of the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference’s second spot. Only a half game up on surging Orlando, which has won three straight and seven of 10.
Cleveland will continue its west coast trip this weekend, with back-to-back games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers. Mitchell may sit one of those, keeping him from overdoing it, especially with the postseason fast approaching and an understanding that him being effective and returning to his dynamic first-half form is the team’s best — and perhaps only — path out of the first round.
Now a little more than two weeks away from that series starting, Mitchell is sensing progress with his knee. On Wednesday, he felt like there were plenty of positive individual signs — even in another frustrating double-digit defeat.
One night after being held out because of injury management, he scored a team-high 24 points, including 15 in a more competitive second half, on 8 of 17 shooting, 2 of 7 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 from the foul line in 38 minutes. He also tallied three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a pair of blocks.
Despite still looking hobbled at various points, retreating to the tunnel to stay loose by riding the exercise bike, not having the customary lift on his outside shot and smacking his hands or legs in frustration, Wednesday was Mitchell’s best individual showing in more than a month. It’s just the second time reaching the 20-point mark since the All-Star break.
There were pullup jumpers, a couple change of direction drives, more finishes at the rim, more force going toward the basket and an ability to react quickly on defense while getting into the passing lanes. At one point during Cleveland’s third-quarter push, Mitchell buried a top-of-the-key 3-pointer to cut a one-time 28-point Phoenix lead to just 13. As the Suns signaled for a timeout, Mitchell let out a feral roar — weeks of frustration mixed with excitement.
It wasn’t peak Mitchell. That guy has been missing for a while. But it was a step in the right direction. A sign that maybe, possibly, he can get back to full strength and lead this team to April success.
“Starting to feel more and more like myself,” Mitchell said. “It’s not just going to happen overnight for me. As much as it sucks, I have to be patient. I was happy with how I came out in the second half and how I felt. Continue building on that. It wasn’t perfect, obviously. But we’re at our best when I’m aggressive and continuing to get downhill. Saw it in spurts. Just trying to get back into my flow.”
Donovan Mitchell opens up about lingering knee injury, vows to be right in time for the playoffs — cleveland.com
PHOENIX — Donovan Mitchell is his own worst critic. Always has been.
PHOENIX — Donovan Mitchell is his own worst critic. Always has been.
But as the Cavs’ leading scorer continues to manage a lingering knee injury that has limited him to just eight games since the All-Star break and zapped some of the signature explosiveness which made him a one-time MVP candidate, Mitchell is learning the importance of patience — and grace.
“I’m trying to be easier on myself,” Mitchell said following the 122-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns. “That’s the biggest thing. Have to be patient with these things. Not going to just come out and be what I was. Going to take time to build that and that’s what this is for and that’s why I’m playing these games — to get back and get these reps.
“I want to be perfect for the group. I’m continuing to build so when we get to the playoffs, I’m ready to go.”
Mitchell went through something similar a few years back with the Utah Jazz. In 2020-21, he missed the final 16 regular-season games and Utah’s playoff opener after tearing three ligaments in his right ankle. There wasn’t an opportunity to regain rhythm or previous playing form ahead of the playoffs. No time to shake off the rust, build back up or work through the growing pains.
He was thrust right into the crucible. He doesn’t want to do that again.
Even though Mitchell admits the timing of this injury — and how it’s impacting his play — has been a challenge, that experience in Utah, as bothersome as it was back then, has provided perspective when it comes to this current knee issue.
“Having to mentally fight through that has helped prepare me for this and allowed me to understand to give myself grace,” Mitchell said. “In my head, that allowed me to sit back and allow myself to get rest. But it’s tough. It’s tough. Not the easiest thing in the world. Mentally, you have to continue to push. I will get there. I’m confident in that. Gotta be patient and just be 1% better every day with this.”
Mitchell reiterated that there’s nothing structurally wrong. No tear. No sprain. No strain. In past injury reports, Cleveland listed it as a bone bruise, one that required a platelet-rich plasma injection in early March. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has used the term tendonitis, saying that the problem built over time and then flared up.
“It’s nothing crazy. Nothing structurally wrong. Nothing to be concerned about,” Mitchell said. “I’m not going to make things worse by doing what I’m doing. That’s a blessing. I think it’s just putting it all in perspective. Minute by minute, if you can take those little steps and not skip steps, that’s the biggest thing. Ultimately, you go out there and play. That’s part of the process. Just taking it step by step and not getting frustrated. This is a really tight time of year. The best thing for it is rest. But we don’t have time for that. Just be myself, continue to build, continue to get better and when the playoffs come, do my thing.
“I will be ready.”
With Wednesday’s loss, the third-seeded Cavs dropped to 46-31, a game and a half back of the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference’s second spot. Only a half game up on surging Orlando, which has won three straight and seven of 10.
Cleveland will continue its west coast trip this weekend, with back-to-back games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers. Mitchell may sit one of those, keeping him from overdoing it, especially with the postseason fast approaching and an understanding that him being effective and returning to his dynamic first-half form is the team’s best — and perhaps only — path out of the first round.
Now a little more than two weeks away from that series starting, Mitchell is sensing progress with his knee. On Wednesday, he felt like there were plenty of positive individual signs — even in another frustrating double-digit defeat.
One night after being held out because of injury management, he scored a team-high 24 points, including 15 in a more competitive second half, on 8 of 17 shooting, 2 of 7 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 from the foul line in 38 minutes. He also tallied three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a pair of blocks.
Despite still looking hobbled at various points, retreating to the tunnel to stay loose by riding the exercise bike, not having the customary lift on his outside shot and smacking his hands or legs in frustration, Wednesday was Mitchell’s best individual showing in more than a month. It’s just the second time reaching the 20-point mark since the All-Star break.
There were pullup jumpers, a couple change of direction drives, more finishes at the rim, more force going toward the basket and an ability to react quickly on defense while getting into the passing lanes. At one point during Cleveland’s third-quarter push, Mitchell buried a top-of-the-key 3-pointer to cut a one-time 28-point Phoenix lead to just 13. As the Suns signaled for a timeout, Mitchell let out a feral roar — weeks of frustration mixed with excitement.
It wasn’t peak Mitchell. That guy has been missing for a while. But it was a step in the right direction. A sign that maybe, possibly, he can get back to full strength and lead this team to April success.
“Starting to feel more and more like myself,” Mitchell said. “It’s not just going to happen overnight for me. As much as it sucks, I have to be patient. I was happy with how I came out in the second half and how I felt. Continue building on that. It wasn’t perfect, obviously. But we’re at our best when I’m aggressive and continuing to get downhill. Saw it in spurts. Just trying to get back into my flow.”
Rich
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This is true of most great players. You build around who you have and do your best to contend.
The other strategy is to just tank forever until you hopefully get really lucky.
And fans don't pay to see that, owners don't own teams to do that, and GMs don't keep their jo s by doing that.
Is Mitchell good enough to be the best player on a contender? No. Almost zero small guards EVER have been. There's like, one, maybe two.
But I'd rather they try instead of just rolling out the tank machine year after year.
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I just don’t see the Cavs tanking year after year as long as Dan owns the team and is vested..But I certainly don’t want to be stuck with Mitchell and his decline just to stay relevant on the NBA map…
There’s zero doubt in my mind he doesn’t become a 55 to 60 games played a year player with chronic knee tendinitis… Almost Baron Davis style..Injuries were different but once the explosion is gone, the player is not the same… And even at Donovan’s best, it’s simply not good enough..
I love Mitchell as a player and his perceived leadership — staying the course with him tho is going to set the team back even though he’s the best player…
There’s zero doubt in my mind he doesn’t become a 55 to 60 games played a year player with chronic knee tendinitis… Almost Baron Davis style..Injuries were different but once the explosion is gone, the player is not the same… And even at Donovan’s best, it’s simply not good enough..
I love Mitchell as a player and his perceived leadership — staying the course with him tho is going to set the team back even though he’s the best player…
Thelastcavsfan
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I’d rather tank every year until you get lucky. Look at okc
Unless someone offers us a bunch of FRPs that route is not open to us this decade, we’ve traded away all our picks
foucault87
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They didn't get lucky. They got gift wrapped SGA and then drafted smartly. It's not just luck. Luck got Dallas luka and they have mismanaged the bejesus out of it. You need to be smart and the luck will find you
Beanie4Heisman
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Fedor's writeups have been booty for 5~7 years at minimum... dunno why anyone gives his basketball "insights" any credence in the absolute slightest.
Dude doesn't know ball.
Dude doesn't know ball.
Thelastcavsfan
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Trade everyone except Mobley and rebuild. You should be able to get 5-6 first round picks between the other 3
Thelastcavsfan
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Yeah he’s pretty bad and his partner on his podcast is even worse.
Beanie4Heisman
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Our Ace player is in abundant need of rest, so our HC plays him nearly 40 minutes in a game that was over by halftime, JBB is a menace.
Even with SGA that was their smart call - the Clippers didn’t want to give him but they insisted. They knew they had the Clippers over a barrel in the Paul George trade and pulled off maybe one of the best trades in NBA history — SGA plus FIVE first round picks (four totally unprotected). One of those FRPs has already become Jalen Williams and three are still coming up. Core move for the new Thunder.
foucault87
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The meme of Presti hoarding picks is very real. Along with that, they did an excellent job of eating bad contracts (along with some picks), rehabbing the players and then flipping them for more picks. They did this with cp3, rubio, horford... their fringe pickups have been great too (kenrich, Joe etc). Just a very well managed team. Presti might be the best in the league right now