Despite a loss to the New York Knicks to start the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-0 since and remain top title contenders in the Eastern Conference. After a disappointing finish in last season’s playoffs, it has once again been the Cavs’ stars of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley leading the team.
While Mobley’s recent rise has garnered attention from around the league, Mitchell remains a top guard in the NBA, but according to head coach Kenny Atkinson, he isn’t getting the right amount of praise. Speaking to the press off a recent win, Atkinson had one word to describe Mitchell after his hot start.
“Underrated,” Atkinson said on the franchise star. “First Team All-NBA. I don’t know why people don’t talk about him more. Probably because he’s no controversy, low key, humble, does that equal underrated because of the personality? I don’t know.”
Through four games, Mitchell is averaging a league-seventh 31.3 points per game on 56.4% shooting, along with two rebounds and four assists. He’s made six All-Star games, but last season was the first time he was named to the First Team All-NBA , coming after a Second Team nod in 2022-23.
Atkinson’s Justified Praise For Donovan Mitchell
The numbers have been there for Mitchell’s entire career, but it’s been the winning that’s been a roadblock for his rise to superstardom. Averaging 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists through his now-nine-year NBA tenure are strong, even Hall of Fame level, but his combined 28-35 playoff record with the Cavaliers and Utah Jazz can’t be overlooked.
However, that same issue of comparing the numbers against playoff success was the same thing that happened to Michael Jordan . Atkinson said he told his star that he needs to enter that type of ‘mode‘ if he wants to be recognized as one of the best.
“It’s a fine balance, as you know better than anybody. You want him to be aggressive, like sometimes he’s gotta go into a Michael Jordan mode,” Atkinson said before the season . “I feel like, you gotta go there. There are moments in the game when he knows he has to do that. What he did last season was empower the group.”
Mitchell was one of ten players listed on NBA.com in a preseason MVP ladder , and the ninth-best player in the league on a recent article ranking the top 100 players on Bleacher Report . He helped lead the Cavaliers to their best record last year since LeBron James’ first stint with the team.
Mitchell’s numbers have even jumped from last season, and while the Cavaliers are on a strong start, he remains a relative afterthought considering the national conversations around players like James, Luka Doncic , Steph Curry , Anthony Edwards , Victor Wembanyama , and others.
Mitchell finished fifth in MVP voting last season, and if he keeps up his current numbers, another top-five finish is likely in the cards.
Cavaliers Continue As Title Threats
After their season-ending series against the Indiana Pacers last year, the Cavaliers’ only true threat in the East this year is the Knicks. Both teams have led the odds for top contenders in the conference, and even after their opening night loss, that remains the case a week into the season.
Along with Mitchell, Mobley has been crucial for Cleveland as Darius Garland continues to recover from toe surgery. So far, he’s put up averages of 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, two blocks, and 1.8 steals.
“Cleveland’s defense has carried the team through the early part of the schedule while its offense is still down a few key players, but keep an eye on Evan Mobley,” Jamal Collier wrote on what has stood out about Cleveland after four games. “He has started the season with the highest usage rate of his career, a concerted effort from the Cavs to give him even more offensive responsibilities.”
Cleveland ranks third in steals per game, first in deflections , and sixth in defensive efficiency . After last year was marked by their high-scoring offense, this season, Atkinson has made defense a focus, especially considering the length they gained on the wings.
It’s also been Sam Merrill , De’Andre Hunter, Jarrett Allen , and Larry Nance Jr . who have picked up the pieces in Garland’s absence to keep the Cavaliers a worthy threat night-to-night.
Even with their All-Star point guard out, Cleveland has wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons to begin the year. Barring lingering injuries and the previously seen playoff woes, the Cavaliers will continue to be title threats with the Mitchell, Mobley, and Garland-led group.
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