Although the Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in the NBA for the majority of the season, it didn’t come without immense sacrifice. It started at the very top. In terms of production, Donovan Mitchell has never averaged fewer points or minutes since joining the squad three seasons ago. It has been for the greater good of the team as several of his other teammates are having breakout seasons. But still, it was difficult for the dexterous scorer at first.
Since his rookie season, Spida was tasked with scoring duties. That was the way his team won. So when his production began to diminish, the 28-year-old did feel weird at the start. “At first I’m like man I’m coming out it’s fourth minutes. All right the touches are down like you know you’re doing something for seven years and you have success as an individual with it it’s natural to kind of you know try to figure things out,” Mitchell stated.
One thing made the job easier than what Donovan Mitchell first thought it would be. He and the Cavaliers were winning. It assured Mitchell that his sacrifices weren’t futile. He was “doing something right”.
Jan 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) celebrates with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
From the first moment he met head coach Kenny Atkinson, “empowerment” was among the key traits he wanted to boast. Now, Mitchell has successfully transitioned as the leader of the team. He isn’t worried about his scoring numbers waning. “I’m going to do that,” he says about his lethal skill.
His primary objective has shifted to ensuring there is no discourse within the Cleveland Cavaliers. “You know for me am I impacting the game at the highest level? How am I in huddles keeping everybody calm?” that is how Donovan Mitchell measures himself now. And with the second-best record in the NBA and the Cavs touted as title contenders, Spida Mitchell has succeeded at his role.
But it’s nothing without having a willing supporting cast.
Donovan Mitchell owes it all to his teammates
Being a leader in an NBA locker room doesn’t just come from being the best player on the team. It’s about how the player connects with his teammates and makes their play better. This season Donovan Mitchell’s ways of thinking have changed to bolster the transition. “It’s just like you know you look yourself in the mirror like okay how do we get the most out of Evan? You know DG getting back to form, getting Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Isaac, Dean like you know what does that look like,” is how he approaches the game on a nightly basis.
But as much as Donovan Mitchell is doing to take on that role, he continues to remain grateful to his teammates. It’s because having experienced the NBA for eight years, he knows the locker room won’t just fall at his command. The cast around him have accepted him being the leader.
“I’m also grateful my teammates allow me to do that you know what I mean. Allow me to you know be that guy because you know it can be different in NBA locker rooms you know some guys may not just be receptive to it but they allow me to be that guy. I’m not who I am without them,” he said about his teammates.
With the acceptance of his teammates, Mitchell doesn’t find it to be hard to sacrifice his natural game. He may be averaging only 24 points and playing less than 32 minutes per game. But “this has been the best season as a group for me and that’s really what matters is winning,” takes precedence over his individual success and accolades.
With a great team culture and talent, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a ferocious threat and most importantly are playing for one another.
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