Positive No. 3 – Defense and Overall Impact
Regardless of any deserved or undeserved criticism that Donovan Mitchell may have faced over the course of FIBA group play, one thing is certain. When Mitchell has been on the floor, he has had an impressive impact. He made it a point this summer to declare that he would be putting an emphasis on defense, and he most certainly has shown as much in FIBA play.
Mitchell has been a relentless defender that has chased and pestered opposing players tirelessly. He’s been active and effective on D, setting a precedent for his Team USA teammates.
And the impact he’s had as a whole has spoken for itself. As noted in the tweet below from Jazz Twitter extraordinaire Riley Gisseman of Salt City Hoops, the difference for the Americans when Donovan has been on the court versus off is astounding.
Plus/minus isn’t always a tell-all statistic, but the fact that Team USA is plus-102 when Mitchell plays and just plus-five when he’s off is nothing short of astounding. Considering that his offense hasn’t been mind-blowing, this speaks volumes also to the defensive impact he’s had. Although it should be noted that he’s clearly commanding the opponents’ attention on both ends of the court, be it as a shooting threat, an assist king or a defensive menace.
Say what you will about any potential Mitchell shortcomings, but the impact stats speak for themselves. Team USA has been significantly better while he’s been on the court as Mitchell continues to hang his hat on playing winning basketball.