Mitchell efficiency and decision making
Let’s make one thing clear, Donovan Mitchell is having a heck of a year so far. He’s averaging career-highs with 25.4 points per game, 47.9 percent shooting from the field and a three-point clip of 36.8 percent. He continues to shoulder the offensive load for the Jazz and come up big time after time.
Unfortunately, that three-point percentage was significantly higher earlier in the year, and it took a nasty hit on Friday as he went an appalling 1-of-8 from three. That and other aspects of the contest represented some recurring negative themes from Mitchell so far this year.
In terms of efficiency and decision making, he continues to have poor stretches. The 1-of-8 perimeter shooting clip was an example of both. Several of the shots were poorly advised and obviously at that poor rate, Mitchell needed to look for his teammates.
That’s been my biggest complaint against Mitchell thus far. On several occasions he’s fallen into hero-ball habits instead of moving the ball and involving his teammates. The whole idea of this season was that Mitchell was no longer going to have to do it all on his own, but he still seems to fall into that former mentality.
Sure, the Jazz are in need of a star who can take over a game. But doing so doesn’t mean just doing everything on his own. Taking over the game means executing the right winning plays that lead to victory, be it taking the big shot or making the right pass so someone else can fill that role.
The Jazz aren’t the Houston Rockets, they aren’t an iso team. They need to focus on their strength which is moving the ball, breaking down the defense and getting the best shot. Donovan is a fantastic player, but to become even more great, he’s got to get out of the habit of trying to do things by himself. He got into that mindset late against the Grizzlies, and has done so in other costly losses this year.
As Mitchell gets more efficient and thrives in involving his teammates to make the best possible plays, it will likely shore up Utah’s spotty offense and help them become a much more prolific threat.