It’s Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Jazz and Rockets. With time dwindling in the 4th quarter, Donovan Mitchell took a floater in the lane, snagged his miss off the front iron, and tomahawk slammed a ridiculous dunk seamlessly, in one motion between 3 bigger Houston defenders. The opposing crowd let out an audible “ohhh.” Media members sitting court-side restrained themselves from jumping out of their chairs. Everyone in the crowd was both simultaneously wowed and angered after the dunk put the game out of reach for H-Town.
An usher standing near by in section 422 locked eyes with me and walked over. “Kid is something else, ain’t he?” Just as he was near enough to me to notice my Louisville Dunking Cardinal shirt, he realized I was the enemy.
I had seen this story play out before plenty of times 957 miles away in Louisville, Kentucky. I was familiar with these sort of plays. So were opponents like Syracuse. And Florida State. And Syracuse… Again (poor Syracuse). So much so, that he became a player I wanted to keep track of after he left Louisville.
It was Donovan Mitchell, the person, and the freak athlete, that sucked me in the year after his departure from my home town. But, it was Donovan Mitchell, the future NBA All-Star, that kept me coming back. Mitchell made the Utah Jazz, a team that was expected to be average at best, a team that was must-see TV. Mitchell had me following along on my ESPN app at 1 AM, and blowing off Friday night plans during a rare Jazz TV appearance in the Louisville market.
He even had me buying a ticket to an NBA playoff game in Houston, Texas.
The circumstances that landed me in the Toyota Center during Derby week were completely coincidental, but my opportunity to see Donovan Mitchell vs James Hardin in a playoff game was one I relished like I was watching my favorite childhood team. Donovan Mitchell just has that effect on people.
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You’d be lying if you actually thought this is where Mitchell would have been one season in. Many people questioned Rick Pitino’s decision to push Mitchell towards keeping his name in the NBA draft. When Mitchell was selected at pick No. 13, fans were critical. But, something crazy happened. Mitchell didn’t listen to the naysayers. He kept his head down, and improved leaps and bounds in the off season.
Mitchell’s biggest issues coming out of college were consistent shooting from deep, lack of point guard and ball handling skills, and lack of size. By the time he finished the pre-season, and started his rookie year, most of the questions about him were erased.
In 2017-18, Mitchell turned himself from a player with a limited skillset, into one of the most dangerous weapons in the NBA. He can quite literally do it all:
He is a threat from deep, where he shot 34%, and showcased the ability to hit from ridiculous distances.
He can take anyone in the league off the dribble, dissecting his way into the lane with increasing success as the game goes on. He shot 50% from inside the arc in 2017-18.
Mitchell brought from college the ability to jump passing lanes, rebound inside even when outsized, and finish with authority.
Mitchell won the 2018 NBA All-Star dunk contest, after initially being left out all together. He did so in style, paying homage to former Louisville and Jazz great Darrell Griffith, as well as Vince Carter.
The Jazz got off to a slow start, falling to 16-24 at one point. By the end of the season, the finished 48-34 and in 5th place in the Western conference. Mitchell led the way, starting his final 71 games of the season.
Stats and accolades aside, Mitchell just looks the part. He has the ball-handling skills, the quick first step, the spin moves, the ability to get shots to go in that other players would not dare attempt. He has the highlight reel dunks, time after time. He exudes a swagger and a confidence that you don’t often find. He is a leader on and off the court, and a play maker with a ridiculous highlight reel every night.
So much can be said of Mitchell’s first year. It was unprecedented. He broke dozens of records. But the most telling of all, is how those around him reacted. Russell Westbrook, who Mitchell idolized in high school and college, took time to speak with him and gave him high praise after being defeated in the first round of the playoffs. Chris Paul said Mitchell was like his little brother, who he talks to all of the time. Lebron James said Mitchell is a player, has got game, and isn’t afraid of the moment.
Keep in mind that Mitchell was not even sure if he wanted to play in the NBA or stay in college less than a year ago.
The respect is there now though, and Mitchell has the potential to get even better in 2019. That should be a scary thought for teams who are preparing for what should finally be a healthy Jazz squad next year.
Donovan Mitchell is not going anywhere. He has the potential to be the NBA’s next big thing, whether the security guard in section 422 wants to hear it or not.