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Utah Jazz: Three positives and three negatives about Donovan Mitchell in FIBA group play

By Jared Woodcox

SHENZHEN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 9: Donovan Mitchell #5 of Team USA shoots free throws against Team Brazil during the FIBA World Cup on September 9, 2019 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 9: Donovan Mitchell #5 of Team USA shoots free throws against Team Brazil during the FIBA World Cup on September 9, 2019 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TOPSHOT – Brazil’s Alex Garcia (R) fights for the ball with Donovan Mitchell of the US during the Basketball World Cup Group K second round game between US and Brazil in Shenzhen on September 9, 2019. (Photo by Nicolas ASFOURI / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Brazil’s Alex Garcia (R) fights for the ball with Donovan Mitchell of the US during the Basketball World Cup Group K second round game between US and Brazil in Shenzhen on September 9, 2019. (Photo by Nicolas ASFOURI / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images) /

Negative No. 1 – Lack of Efficiency

There’s simply no denying it when any conversation about Donovan Mitchell emerges. In his first two seasons in the NBA, efficiency hasn’t been his strong suit.

In his defense, his slow start to his sophomore NBA season was a large reason why his overall percentages weren’t great, because he bounced back in a big way and closed the year out very strong from an efficiency standpoint. Unfortunately, he still saw his overall field goal percentage go down from his rookie year and his three-point percentage finished at a less than remarkable 36.2 percent.

What was worse was that in the 2019 playoffs, his inefficiency woes truly reared their ugly heads as Mitchell dropped all the way to 32.1 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from deep. With that proving to be such a weakness, many hoped that a full offseason of work would lead to a notably more efficient Mitchell in FIBA play.

Unfortunately, that simply hasn’t been the case. His first FIBA contest against the Czech Republic was his most efficient outing as he notched 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, but it’s gone significantly downhill since. As a whole, he’s shooting just 42.6 percent from the field and a discouraging 32.1 percent from the perimeter.

Granted, shooting has been an issue for the entire Team USA squad, as even Mitchell’s forgettable figures are only slightly below the team average. Still, it would be reassuring to see more progress made in an area that many tend to view as Mitchell’s Achilles’ heel. In far too many contests he’s taken ill-advised shots which have ultimately hurt his percentages and haven’t been the best decision for the possession.

An uptick in efficiency will be crucial for both the heightened competition of the remainder of FIBA play and for Mitchell’s success with the Utah Jazz this upcoming NBA season.

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