Since acquiring Donovan Mitchell via trade over the offseason from the Utah Jazz, the Cleveland Cavaliers have already gotten into an interesting start. They’re sitting at a 14-8 record, which is still as good of a start as they’ve had since the LeBron James days. Now that a new star has arrived in The Land, there’s been a glimpse of hope for what to expect this season, and going forward.
The Cavaliers have an abundance of talent on the roster this year such as Donovan Mitchell, rising star Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, who could become the franchise centerpiece, along with one of the premier rim protectors in the game today in Jarrett Allen, who can guard up to 3 positions. Let’s not forget the bench depth that has Kevin Love still playing at a respectable level in his role where he found the fountain of youth, and there is Caris LeVert, Ricky Rubio (upon his return), and Cedi Osman.
All play their parts for this team and all play big roles in its recent success, especially the veterans who have been with the Cavs during a rebuild that they had to push through. The Cavaliers now have another Big 3, but this time they’re younger and they’re surrounded with pieces that can pick up some slack once the starters take a rest.
The best player on the Cavaliers right now is none other than Donovan Mitchell, though, and we all know what he did in Utah and how he performed in the postseason, and that’s exactly what the Cavs needed to get over the lottery hump and start to look like playoff contenders.
Mitchell has been the hope Cavs fans have been looking for, and he’s the type of player that can take the Wine and Gold to the next level.
Mitchell hasn’t missed the playoffs in his career since being drafted by the Jazz in 2017 and he doesn’t look like he is going to miss them any time soon with the group that is around him currently; the Jazz were talented, but not this talented. He now has 2 bigs that can defend up to 3 positions and Evan Mobley is starting to come into his own offensively as he becomes someone who can find and create his own shots. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s leadership has been the biggest factor in this team’s resurgence and the team is feeding off his experience and the ability to play around him and it’s pushing the teams chemistry in a positive direction as they continue to figure themselves out during the season.
He’s already started to make a huge splash in his first season here with having a few big games to start his new chapter in Cleveland, such as having a 41-point game against the Boston Celtics at the Garden, in which the Cavs won, 132-123. Plus, he has 11 games in which he has scored 30 points or more and 6 games where he has had 7 or more assists, so there is no doubt that Mitchell’s all-around game and playmaking abilities can continue to reach new heights with this new roster.
He made a name for himself in the 2017 NBA Playoffs when he played for the Jazz and they eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder with stars Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the first round. The Cavaliers now have a closer and someone who can lead them to as far as he can take them and that should bring smiles to Cleveland fans.
Leadership is a big topic when it comes to Mitchell and that’s exactly what he brought when the team acquired him and you can see it as the team continues to build chemistry, as everyone is bought in and are playing good basketball. One can see how this team is having the most fun they’ve had in years, too.
Being a mentor and backcourt mate to Darius Garland has improved Garland’s game immensely and he’s clicking with Mitchell and it shows as the season wears on it seems as well. The electricity they bring when both players are on the court together makes them one of the best shows in the NBA with both of their abilities to score and distribute the ball, and they’re undoubtedly one of the league’s best backcourts. As the season progresses, they’ll only get better, too, and it gives the fans something to be excited about because of their ability to play off one another looks like a match made in heaven.
Additionally, another star that is putting the league on notice is Evan Mobley, who is also benefiting from Mitchell’s presence in Cleveland. Although his scoring might be a little comprised due to Garland and Mitchell, he’s still a threat on the offensive side of the ball but he is just as good on the defensive side and that’s where it becomes easy to play with Mitchell. Mitchell has supreme confidence it seems in Mobley’s abilities, too, and early on, that’s been demonstrated.
In his first season as a Cavalier, Mitchell is currently averaging 28.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per outing, has connected on 49.0 percent of his shots and 42.2 percent of his three-point attempts. Mitchell takes this team to a whole other level and heights that make the Cavs a team that shouldn’t be taken slightly anymore and the front office has done a fantastic job acquiring the superstar, to go with along drafting a quality core and role players around that. If this squad can continue to gel, they can be a factor in the Eastern Conference for years to come, and this team has the makings of a true contender as well.
There have been and will be rough patches throughout the season, but as long as that chemistry is there, this team, with this kind of young talent, and led by Mitchell should be able to regularly make deep playoff runs. That’s if the roster can stay intact, of course.
Anyway, it is a long season, however, if Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and the rest of the guys continue to play well and play their game, that will show hope and bring excitement to the city of Cleveland.
And with his star power, postseason experience and wide-ranging abilities, it’s apparent that Mitchell is the guy Cavs fans have been seeking for a while to get this squad back to contention. He, Garland, Mobley and Allen is a heck of a young core to have, too.