The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Four moments to look forward to in 2018-19

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz reacts after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at Toyota Center in Houston, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz reacts after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at Toyota Center in Houston, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Donovan Mitchell has Pelicans Game 2.0

There were a lot of moments last year when you could have argued that Donovan Mitchell had “arrived”. As he just continued to exceed expectations time after time after time, there was seemingly no end to what he could accomplish. But for me, THE moment where I literally hurdled over the fence of doubt and declared that Donovan Mitchell was the real deal was his 41-point outpouring against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1.

It was a game where it just felt like the Jazz had no business winning. Try as they might, they just couldn’t seem to get over the hump after taking a 12-point deficit into halftime.

Then, Donovan Mitchell happened. Mitchell just went off scoring time and time again as he exploded for 41 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and shouldered the load for the Jazz on their way to victory. It was an awe-inspiring performance that let NBA fans across the world know that Mitchell had arrived.

But guess what? I have a feeling that 41 points won’t be his career-high for long. Some game in 2018-19, I expect him to go off once again and reach an even higher level. After a full offseason in the NBA system to work on his game and improve, Mitchell ought to be even more electrifying than last year (as hard as that is to believe).

As such, he figures to be more effective all year long. And on that night (or nights) when it absolutely clicks, we’re going to be graced with an extremely special Mitchell performance.

I’m licking my chops just thinking about it.

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