The Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell is turning heads around the league and is putting himself in place for a strong run at Rookie of the Year, despite small-market bias.
This is wild, but Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz is being compared to some NBA greats and has been all season. It started with Damian Lillard, then Dwyane Wade. Now Steph Curry? Pretty insane.
Donovan Mitchell's rookie season, compared to the rookie seasons of Stephen Curry and Dwyane Wade... pic.twitter.com/oQwHoWXw8B
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) December 18, 2017
It may not be long before we stop comparing Donovan to other greats. At some point he will stop being a "defensive Dame" or "Wade 2.0" and just be Donovan Fn Mitchell #TakeNote @utahjazz @spidadmitchell
— tyler cran (@tjcranman) December 17, 2017
Even with all of Mitchell’s wild success on the basketball court, I would have never expected that he could be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Runner-up seemed to be the ceiling.
Ben Simmons was (is) just too good.
Can't shoot to save his life, but Ben Simmons has been tremendous in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. pic.twitter.com/eYletfQqII
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) December 17, 2017
*How not to play defense against Ben Simmons* pic.twitter.com/8PfDc6ZSoo
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 11, 2017
Lonzo Ball had too much media attention.
Jayson Tatum was (still is) posting historical numbers in efficiency (ignore the clip of the incredibly inefficient long-range two-point pull-up shot)
For the Boston Celtics, no 19 year old has any business being this good at basketball. This is Jayson Tatum. pic.twitter.com/NUBA2GW61a
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) December 17, 2017
Also putting himself into pretty incredible company.
Last five rookies in the Top 10 in Win Shares:
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) December 10, 2017
Larry Bird
Michael Jordan
David Robinson
Tim Duncan
JAYSON TATUM (so far) pic.twitter.com/FLiVYNRo3G
So let’s pack it up. The race is run.
Not so fast. The conversation has shifted. Donovan Mitchell is now leading all rookie scorers at over 18 points per game, has broken a few rookie records of his own, and while still not the current favorite for the ROY Race, he’s certainly now in contention.
And at this point, despite strong play from Tatum, it’s a two-man race between Simmons and Mitchell.
Just when I thought he had hit a wall against the Boston Celtics, Mitchell came up strong with 10 fourth-quarter points, including two clutch 3-pointers, plus some incredible defense on “un-guardable” Kyrie Irving to win the game.
One really nice defensive possession for Donovan Mitchell: pic.twitter.com/5Itv2PcPff
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 16, 2017
The kid is clutch.
The next day? He posted 26 points and this incredible move.
Donovan Mitchell 👀🌀 pic.twitter.com/pJLGg11E2H
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) December 17, 2017
He also just keeps on getting better —
Donovan Mitchell so far in December (35 MPG):
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 17, 2017
25.8 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.9 RPG, 3.4 TOV/GM, 1.5 STL/GM
49-40-88 shooting splits
And he could break some more records —
In short, Donovan is doing incredible things. And while nothing is guaranteed, I’ll buy a Gordon Hayward Celtics jersey if he doesn’t become a multi-year All-Star.
The Fan Club Grows
The last time I shared the exclusive DM Fan Club list was a few weeks ago.
It’s still growing; the highlight last week was when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade lined up to talk to Mitchell post-game —
Whoa, did LeBron just call Donovan "young king"? pic.twitter.com/Kkpu1r98OJ
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 17, 2017
Fred Hoiberg on Donovan Mitchell: "He's a monster. He's a guy that can finish, that can shoot. The thing he's doing an unbelievable job of is playmaking. ... He's a highflyer, he's an absolute stud, he's going to be a big time player."
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 14, 2017
James Harden also gave some praise to Mitchell before the last game against Houston.
Chris Paul isn’t new to the club, but he’s piling on the praise.
You can’t make this stuff up. See below.
Chris Paul on Donovan: "One thing you can't teach is the passion for the game and the aggression. You see how much he loves it, how he comes out and competes every night. Utah got a gem in him."
— Angie Treasure (@snark_tank) December 8, 2017
Kevin Garnett said that Donovan Mitchell is his favorite rookie. BOOK IT. Donovan's going to be Rookie of the Year.
— SLC Dunk (@slcdunk) December 8, 2017
Paul George is a big Donovan Mitchell fan. Says “he could be the steal of the draft” and is top two or three for Rookie of the Year: pic.twitter.com/p6uLA9cmc4
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 5, 2017
Wizards coach Scott Brooks said Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is one of the best players in the league. #WASatUTA
— John Coon (@johncoonsports) December 5, 2017
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- 3 Utah Jazz players who have the most to gain or lose this season
- Former Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay is a free agent still and it shouldn’t surprise anyone
Mitchell and the Jazz will take on Harden’s Rockets on Monday night.