Overall GPA: 3.47 (B-plus)
To the dissatisfaction of many readers, I gave Donovan Mitchell a “B-minus” at my quarter-season grades.
I received many comments that my grade was far too harsh for one of the league’s most impressive rookies. While I can’t disagree with Mitchell’s impressive play, I was grading Mitchell against his own lofty potential.
It didn’t help that just three days after posting my last grades. Mitchell went off for 41 points against the Pelicans.
Since my last grades, Mitchell has continued to improve in just about every aspect of his game. He now leads all rookies in scoring and is starting the get the attention of some of the NBA’s brightest stars.
Every All-Star wants to talk to Donovan Mitchell after Jazz games. This kid already has so much respect around the NBA.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) December 17, 2017
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are the latest to be added to the list of players to pay their respect to the rookie.
In his last ten games, Mitchell has averaged nearly 25 points per game on just under 50 percent shooting from the floor. He has also shown an increased ability to involve teammates, especially when his shots aren’t falling. Mitchell has averaged two and a half rebounds and four assists per game over that same stretch.
Mitchell has become the primary focus of Utah’s opponents and he still continues to thrive. There is not much else this kid can do to prove that he will become an elite level NBA player for years to come. And he’s all ours, Utah. Soak it up Jazz fans!