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Three reasons Donovan Mitchell will be an NBA All-Star in 2020

By Presley Meyer

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) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz practices dribbling prior to Game Four during the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 22, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz practices dribbling prior to Game Four during the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 22, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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) /

Mitchell is primed for a quick start

One thing that hurt Mitchell’s chances of making an NBA All-Star team severely in his first two seasons was his slow starts to the season.

In year one, a slow start is understandable. Mitchell was only months removed from college and nearly returned to Louisville for his junior year. Cards fans went through the process of wondering if Jordan Nwora would head to the league this offseason, and he decided to stay. There was a much higher confidence level that Mitchell would stay in 2017 that Nwora this year, yet it was Mitchell who made the bold (but ultimately 100 percent correct) decision to leave.

With that said, earning a starting spot was not a guarantee, let alone winning an All-Star spot. He came off the bench the first eight games of his rookie season. Mitchell improved going into the mid-year break, but barely even snuck into the 2018 slam dunk contest as a last-minute alternate. It wasn’t until after the All-Star break that Mitchell’s legend began to grow.

Year two started similarly with Mitchell going cold from beyond the arc, and not being able to get penetration in the lane like he was late in year one. Opposing teams started respecting Mitchell’s game a bit more as he became more and more of a leader and primary ball-handler.

Mitchell entered the season a bit banged up and sat out four games prior to the All-Star break, mostly as precautionary measures to minor injuries. Those injuries limited his minutes in some early games as well, and he dropped less than 12 points on five occasions. When you’re a rising star, people look through things in a much more critical lens.

Just like year one, Mitchell and the Jazz really put the foot on the gas post-All-star break. That seems much more unlikely Mitchell’s third time around. With more experience and operating in the final year of his rookie contract, (the Jazz would be insane to not exercise their team option and the subsequent qualifying offer in his fourth and fifth years) Mitchell knows how much of an impact making an All-Star game would have on his career.

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