Donovan Mitchell’s Honest Take on Cavs’ Season, Following in LeBron’s Footsteps | Taylor Rooks X

Donovan Mitchell’s Honest Take on Cavs’ Season, Following in LeBron’s Footsteps | Taylor Rooks X

donovan Mitchell
what’s up
how we feeling
i’m good Summer’s been good How are you
i’m I’m amazing I like your shirt
Thank you Thank you It’s um it’s an album Make sure you guys go check it out It’s out now
Make sure you go get them streams for my girl I’ll stop talking but I do like the shirt
Thank you Thank you
You know what I was thinking about as I was getting ready to do this interview
how has your nickname stuck because we have to bring back NBA nicknames and I think you’re just one of the few that people understand Spida is you They can use it in the broadcast It’s become a part of your persona
Yeah I mean it’s wild to think that especially like you said there like the whole remember the whole Twitter thing where it was like everybody they gave random guys think there was like maybe like during the season like they called Evan like the anomaly or somebody called the anomaly all those different things and that like went away Um and then you know you look at you got the King you got KD you got you know Chef Curry you got all those things those stick So to have mine be one that actually sticks and stays I think is uh is pretty special to people call me my name when they see me on the street But
to call yourself something that no one else called you in high school and middle school and kind of be like a lame for that and then for it to be like my brand I think is um it’s pretty dope
But why do you think like what is it about you or the name that has had that staying power i think it it makes sense you know i mean I think it’s something that’s like okay like the way my body moves which is how I got the nickname which I have long arms you know what I mean i jump pretty high do all these different things but um it’s really uncanny how I move I think that’s kind of you know the reason why I would think
Do you remember like the person like who was the genesis of the name
yeah Um his name is Al This was back when I was nine Um he’s from Jersey I was playing AU and he gave everybody a nickname on the team and he was like “Your name is Spider cuz you you spin a web.” And basically what I was saying I move in such a a crazy way Um and then to say it stuck
Well shout out to Al He gave us some longlasting I’m on a real campaign to bring back NBA
We should We definitely should I like
add something to the game
I think WebMy’s will stick the the alien I think that’ll definitely be one Um trying to figure out one for my teammate Ev Trying to get one for Ev We do need one for heaven Where are we at in the brainstorm
he hated the one that was on Twitter Um so when people see this I hope they can remember I forgot the name of it He hated that one Um Dan Gilbert actually called him that on Twitter Whatever the nickname was he called name
I got to think I got to find it Once I find it um I’ll let you know But he Dan Gilbert tweeted it So then I started calling that in locker room but he didn’t really like that one So we got to figure out
we got to figure out one for him
Yeah It’s like what’s a play on like defense and Evan maybe it’s more about Moby than it is Evan I feel like Yeah we’ll stick with Moby I’m going to brainstorm
I’ll send you some options We’ll figure it out
Um excited to chat with you because there really is just so much to dive into but I want to begin with what I feel like and correct me if I’m wrong was just this kind of newfound joy that you had this season with the Cavaliers
Yeah Um I tell people all the time that was the first year in about five years where there was not a question of where is Donovan Mitchell going next you know what I mean like and I was in Utah it was like where’s he going next when I was in Cleveland he wasn’t I was like I’m not staying Oh I’m not staying He’s not staying And then it became like after every win after every loss we go on a losing streak It’s like oh this is why he’s leaving You know what I mean and I think it became it just became a lot And I didn’t realize it in the moment when you’re in it you don’t really notice how much that really like you know stresses you in life And not necessarily always in a bad way but it’s just like it’s always on your mind It’s on your teammates’s mind That teammates got to answer these questions My coach has got to answer these questions You know GM everybody’s got to answer the question of like where’s he going what’s he doing um even though I knew I was staying even though they knew I was staying it’s just still a topic of conversation You know what I mean i think for me just being able to call a place home and be there and want to be there and be like “All right cool This is this is where I’m at.” Um you know obviously that was that was huge You know I’m in a new place in my my life too So like I think just for me just being able to just be
happy with Donovan not even just Donovan Mitchell you know what I mean i think that was
why I think this season for me was just you know like you said just a sort of a piece
Um and then allows you and obviously my play you know continue to try to find ways to get better and better and being comfortable in my own skin and who I am Not to say I wasn’t before but even more so just being comfortable with you know where I’m at
Do you think there was a real tie in like the happiness and peace and joy that you felt as a person along with the success that you had in your like individual season
yeah I think it allowed me too to look at my season in a different light too Like understanding that you know I did take a step back you know for others to continue to grow isting and that that’s a thing you know at 22 23 I don’t know if I if I’m I wouldn’t say as open-minded but I think it’s it’s a way of like no I got to I got to get it I got it But understanding it’s like no like it’s a it’s a group thing and it’s different I’m the older guy Like you know what I mean i’m not with Mike Joe Rudy guys who were 10 12 years in So I got to find ways to elevate the guys around me and you know allow them to grow allow DG allow EV allow Tai everybody you know everybody ja allow guys to continue to flourish and you know that takes comfortability in yourself you know what I mean understanding that like look this is what it’s going to take to to win and and and be you know where ultimately I want to go So I think it definitely ties in for sure It’s interesting too how there are just some things that you won’t understand until you experience and you probably don’t even realize how much being sure of yourself and who you are really does bleed into how you play Like when we talk about immaturity I think people view it as a negative but we really just mean when you’re young you don’t fully get it Like you don’t even get you But the more you unlock yourself it bleeds into the success that you can find on the court
What would you say to just younger players that
maybe feel this I got to get it right now or maybe feel this sort of insecurity about proving themselves about just figuring that out so that everything else unlocks i think you know I think it’s a it’s a it’s a life it’s a social media like you know effect I think you know because we see everybody and this is just life This isn’t just basketball Like this is we see somebody on vacation We see somebody doing these unrealistic things at 22 Like you know what I mean like
you know even with like the new found like streamers like streamers are young Like not everybody’s going to be kaot like you know what I mean it’s just understand it’s going to take time You know what I mean people don’t understand how long it took for Mark Zuckerberg Oprah all these people who we look at Warren Buffett how long it took them to become who they are Like you know I mean I’m very blessed to be at 20 years old and I’m drafted like you know I mean that’s not a regular 20- year old’s life There’s only 450 people that do what I do So I I tell all young kids like be patient It’s okay to fail and and take time And I think that’s kind of where I’m at in my my process is like I haven’t made it out the second round It’s okay to fail Like you know what I mean it takes time You know what I mean this not the first person this has happened to And understand that hey like you’re going to keep going You know what I mean you got to keep going And um I tell people all the time like they only get you when you quit Like that’s when they win You know what I’m saying and so I always tell my younger self like hey like if I were to tell my younger self I’d be like hey like
you know it’s going to take time and that’s okay Like I don’t have to be on everybody else’s journey I’m on my own You know I’m trying to figure it out that way Um so that’s my that’s my message So when you talk about the not making it out of the second round
do you feel like people want you to say that and then sort of doubt your ability as a player or as
Do I Do they want to doubt or do I doubt yourself
do you think that that is almost the wish that they want to sort of say to you okay you have not been able to make it out of the second round What does this mean about who Donovan Mitchell is
yeah I think it’s it’s easy I mean that’s the role I that’s my job Like you know what I mean i’m very blessed I get paid a lot of money to to to play basketball but what comes with that is the criticism of like hey can Donovan do it like that’s going to be the question because when we win you know
you know it’s that’s just how it works So um I think there’s a world where people are definitely are excited to see you know you fail I think that’s just sports I don’t think that’s just I think it’s life but also sports Um but I also know there’s a bunch of people in Cleveland and other cities I know rooting you know for it to happen So for me um not really getting consumed by that and understanding like hey you know this loss definitely messed me up a little bit you know what I mean i um more so than than most years And that’s what it’s going to take for it to not happen again And I made the joke after the end of the year like this could happen eight more times I’m not going to stop Like you know what I mean so um I knock on wood You know what I mean i’m not trying to have that happen eight more years but like understand that no matter what’s said no matter what questions are about me I know who I am You know what I mean i know what I bring to a team I know what I bring to a table And I’m not really here to kind of worry about other people People who play against me know who I am And now it’s just a matter of hey just got to find a way And that’s pretty much it
You said this one more so than the others Why
i think for me because you look at the way the regular season went you look at the way things were were stacked up I think for me um it was just in my mind it was like this is supposed to like you know and that everybody says like you want to make God laugh tell him your plans and like you know what I mean like that was my plan like all right cool 60 games we on these win streaks all right cool this is
I’m not saying we took anything for granted at all by any means but I said like this it just felt like this was that time you know what I mean I think everybody can agree with that so I think that’s why when it ended so abruptly like even in the summer like I didn’t have any plans like I didn’t have
I didn’t know what to do like you know what I mean like so um that’s why I think I found myself like even though I was moving around and and different things I found myself still just sitting there just trying to process like that we don’t play tomorrow like you know what I mean like that and I was in Cleveland for about a week after just and usually after the season I fly out right I have to go back home I just I couldn’t leave cuz it was just like there’s there’s no way like you know what I mean and totally
you know I mean and I think that’s that’s ultimately going to fuel me you know I mean I’m at that point now where I’ve accepted it and now I’m using it you know to work but it’s definitely one of those especially when you have a year like that as a group you’re like yeah this is this is special um so you know it happens and you got to find a way to move on and and get ready for next year in those moments when you’re thinking about it what is the image that you see is it a play is it a moment
what comes to your head The one that sticks out to me um the inbounds pass um from from game two Mhm
Um both of them The one where I elbowed knee Smith in the face and the one where um I couldn’t get open so Max had to throw it to Tai I should have got open like I mean that my man it’s like I should have got the ball You know what I mean and credit Indiana they did a they did a good job Um but I think those are the two Who knows what do we win the series maybe do we lose like that’s but I know game two you know for us to play that well and we fought I mean obviously yeah we had three guys out That’s not an excuse We were up 15 20 whatever it was So um I think that’s what sticks out to me and that’s like damn changes it changes the series at that point But you know can’t can’t dwell on it now I just got to use it
Yeah Well from a basketball point of view I just love to get your take on the Pacers generally because now so many teams have this story of we were up We were up What happened what is it about Indiana’s ability to for a lack of a better term just like wear teams down
and keep going
yeah I think it’s the fact that they have they use their depth really well I think obviously they they You know I love Tony Bradley’s my dog We got drafted together um in Utah but no one had him playing in the NBA finals in their bingo card You know what I mean and that’s a credit to not only Rick Carla and his staff that’s a credit to Tony Bradley his work ethic Thomas Bryant who I grew up with like those guys playing well Obie to raise his level phenomenally Obviously you could speak about Pascal Tyrese and and Nemhard and Nmith but like
those guys TJ McConnell like those guys at the end of the bench who are coming in and impacting the game in a major way like you know what I mean i give I give them as much credit as I do Tai and and Pascal because that’s what makes them unique and special You know not a lot of teams are going that far down You know even on our series uh Jarus Walker played uh some minutes Ben Shepard you know what I mean if they have a bunch of guys that when their numbers called you know um they’re always finding a way to impact the game and it’s all through effort you know what I mean i think that’s the biggest thing And you know some teams may be more talented some teams may be this but they they’re effort you know what I mean and I think that’s one thing I genuinely respect about them um and how they’re coaching how they play Um and obviously yeah they’re led by by Tyrese and Pascal who you know are phenomenal players in their own right Um but they just they don’t stop and they don’t quit And you got to give respect where where it’s due
Yeah Um of course I saw your tweet sending well wishes to Tyrese That was just a heartbreaking gut-wrenching moment for someone who of course is a phenomenal human being but has dazzled everybody throughout the playoffs It has been an amazing storyline seeing him hit the buzzer beers win galvanize his team but you of course see that moment from a specific vantage point because you dealt with a calf strain as well
And something that I remember is you called me and you were really upset
that the news of your calf strain even became public right why was it so important for you for that to stay private and why were you upset at
I think for me I didn’t want it to be a a thing you know I mean I think last year I had a calf strain and I didn’t play the last three games and you know um you’re starting to see why unfortunately like you know you look at Tyrese Dame had a calf injury I don’t know if JT had anything in his in his calf and there’s a lot of other guys unfortunately throughout the season Um but you know obviously like I didn’t want that to be a thing you know what I mean i think for me my mindset was like I don’t want I don’t want no other BS I want no other [ __ ] I was like “Hey yeah I’m hurt Everybody’s hurt you know what I mean?” And it’s like “All right you know we’re still going to find a way regardless.” You know what I mean and everybody’s in pain And you know I think that for me was just my my own thing that I wanted you know and you know unfortunately it did It was said and you know that’s a thing that people now know and it’s like a thing that people talk about I’d rather it kind of be cuz I already had the ankle injury which I rolled right before the season or right before the playoffs Uh but I think for me personally I just wanted it to be you know when lose or draw it’s because of what happened It’s like oh this or that like no I mean
yeah give us grace but like no we you know we should have won in my in my opinion and I’m not going to say oh it was the calf or it was this and that and I think that’s why I like to try to keep it in house as much as possible
Well now that we are somewhat removed from it How did it hinder you and if so how much
yeah I mean like it’s there’s I watch the games back and there’s just certain things that you know you know moments and different things and like I said you mix that with the pace that we’re playing at Um it made it tougher but
you know I’m not using that as no excuse I want to make that’s why I tried to keep it quiet I don’t want it to be a thing Yeah there’s definitely um a pain management thing and um it’s unfortunate when you have the year we have and then we do it the way you know um and it really came from the ankle like you know the ankle being rolled then you’re overcompensating and that’s really what what started it all but um
I mean hey
it happens and we’ll figure it out from there
Yeah I know I feel like this is really interesting and important perspective to hear because after this it feels like there’s a lot of sort of misinformation and opinions about these moments and what you should do and what you shouldn’t do So can you just enlighten me on what your process was in terms of pain management but also was there an element of like fear for you about what this caprain could mean yeah I think there’s always there’s always that like you know what I mean and I’m I don’t I haven’t spoken to Tyrese I don’t know his his process to it or Dame the the two guys who I I know had calf things but Tyrese made game seven of the finals I think you ask any guy in the league you know I think I mean Jamal I think last year played through a calf strain like there’s guys that have done it you know and I think um I I I don’t think he regrets doing that I think he said he didn’t
you know what I mean I think so um for for my process it’s like
like I said you do everything for the season I’m not in my brain I’m not there’s no way like you know what I mean there’s no way I’m letting this you know hinder affect me from from not stepping out on the floor you know and I take what comes with it you know what I mean i think that’s if you know I’m I’m very thankful that nothing came out of that But um that’s kind of my process like hey like you don’t have to drag me off the floor like you know what I’m saying and I think that’s you know does it change a little bit after seeing these things happen maybe possibly I think you know I think it’s hard for me to say that because I may be in a moment I may be like fighting the doctors and team doctors to get out there but I think right now seeing that and
it’s it’s it’s tough man It’s And you know there’s guys on TV that I’ve said that have have their opinions and whatnot but um you know for me in that moment it was like there’s no way
um I’m not I’m not getting out there Well because to your point I just think when you’re a competitor and you know you have lived your whole life for this game
for this big moment
nothing is going to stop you from going out there You want to do it for your teammates you want to do it for your coach you want to do it for the fans but is there a conversation of okay how do we sort of save athletes from themselves
or is this just a part of the game
i think it’s also to the levels of the the the strain Like I said I don’t know the level of
Yeah And to be clear I’m only talking from Donovan’s perspective Um but for me I think it’s a it’s a conversation and I I respect our training staff I I love our training staff and our doctors And I think it’s
it’s really a conversation and feel Um calf strains are tough man Like it’s I think I don’t know I’m making a number up here but I think I would say probably 90% of docs would tell you to sit down Like you know what I mean and I think that is a conversation of saving you from yourself However I think like I said you know this meant so much to the to not just us as a team but the city like you know what I mean and I think for me um I’ve never made it past that round So I think that you know
was like a thing to try like I we got to I got to figure out a way to get out there and play you know understanding that I’ve I’ve been in this position before I’ve had the best record uh in a conference and you know gotten to that point Um so I definitely think that played a part but like I said moving forward does this seeing all these things change things i as I’m getting older I think definitely for sure Um but yeah it’s definitely something that is a fine balance um that I think teams need to have because
it’s scary man This is this is tough and it it sucks to see losing you know talented talented guys man between JT Dame u I’m forgetting guys DeJonte um you know and whoever I’m missing please forgive me But I think it’s something that is definitely need to be talked about I think the league in in the PI are definitely going to speak on it and try to figure things out because it’s um it’s tough
Yeah No it’s it it’s tough The image is tough I hope every single person is dealing with injury comes back fast or fast better healthy all of the things So I know that you also feel the same way Sending all of the well wishes I think something that strikes me like as I’m talking to you about this season the ups and the downs is you do seem to be at a real peace with it Um kind of this this knowing that there will be more that you’ll have another chance
and it’s striking me because that’s not how most players are after a loss like that I think for me understanding that you know the patience of it like I can’t let I can let it affect me in a way of I can let it affect my training my habits what I do like and take it to another level but I can’t let it I can’t I can’t let it affect my mental every single day cuz then that hinders you know what I mean and then you get to the moment and you you tighten up you seize up you know because you’re I’m in it’s June whatever and I’m over here stressing about it and then July I’m stressing about it and then August I’m stressing about it and then September I’m stressing about and then the season starts and then I’m stressed about it and then I can’t sleep because I know how my mind works You know what I mean like so
and you’re fairly and I think most good competitors are but you’re fairly hard on yourself
Yeah I always am And I think you know now working with a mental coach for the past year has also been different is understanding that like
one giving grace which I hated before working with like no I’m not hearing none of that [ __ ] like no grace no nothing like no I should have should have you know what I mean but understand that hey like like that goes into the patience of it all understand like you know there’s there’s more to it you know what I mean than just you know what you can control like yeah um yeah you’re hurt and acknowledging that like it’s it’s you were hurt like you know there’s there’s there there’s things that are you know hindering Like I said it’s not an excuse And I think that’s where I kind of put my mind as like I looked at grace as an excuse
you know I think and understanding that giving yourself grace understanding like okay
this happened How do we fix that how do we work towards that so I’ve started working on my body earlier than I ever have in my career this summer That’s the first thing Then what does court look like what does you know am I conditioning just on the floor am I conditioning in the pool am I taking soul cycle am I boxing am I doing all these different things um so that’s kind of where my mind is at which allows me to be in that space because you you know me like in years past I’d be like that’s the only thing and
it also takes away from life like
living you know life as well and um so yeah it’s it’s been a long fight but I’m starting to realize that it’s a process you mean
well one that is an incredibly profound thought that you were looking at grace as an excuse um because I think that maybe most people do that but That reframing is really
important if you want to be able to progress and change and and see things for what they can be You have to be able to give yourself grace for that Has a mental coach been really transformative
i think so I think that plays into the the peacefulness of it all and being comfortable with who you are because
I think it allows me to just I think um I want to say Tyrese spoke about it
um during his during the I saw some article he talked about like having kind of having that you know Steph talked about it Yeah
You know I think a bunch of us have it where it’s like you know when you’re playing well and you’re talented and you’re at the top of your game
you know it’s sort of like an imposttor syndrome type thing It’s like can you like when Steph said it I was like man like all right cool like you know it’s something that us as athletes we don’t really speak on I feel like because it’s like an edge you know what I mean but I think understanding that like it’s a real thing and doesn’t take away from who I am I know who I am I know what I can do um but working with the mentor coaches understand that yeah you are nervous yeah this is this is this is frightening like this is I wouldn’t say frightening this is like it’s a scary moment like yeah you you could fail like you know what I mean But accepting that you could fail What is now what like you know I mean there’s the thought now what like now go out there and I think that’s what allowed me has allowed me to grow and be able to show up in certain moments because it’s like yeah you may miss and yeah they may talk about you and I said it after the the uh we lost it was like y’all going to write us off Yeah now what am I going to you know what I mean like so it’s like that’s what I think you know has really helped me as far as understanding that and so what now I got to go out there and do do it again you know
and something that you probably didn’t realize in the moment but like you’re only able to be here because of all the things that you went through
in Utah right
you know
right it is only possible for you to have this mentality this approach because of
the way you’ve experienced it and knowing the right way and wrong way to do it But I’m sure in the moment you’re like
I’m just overwhelmed by everything that is happening right now Like do you see what was sort of the treasure in that yeah I think and I go back and watch the games from Utah and I I I remember exactly where my mind frame is and it could be a random game against Orlando a random game against New Orleans or the Lakers or whoever
Yeah
Um and I think remembering where your mindset’s at in those moments and seeing how far you’re like I’ve come in as far as a mindset is like sometime and even just to watching the game sometimes it’s just a simple kick ahead pass Oh I should have took this shot here Shouldn’t have gone left I should have did that Like you know what I mean understanding that But you don’t see that until you go through it You know what I mean and I think
that’s why I’m really like I believe in in the group and what we can continue to build because I feel like that’s you know those guys were me Like E was me DG was me Um you know Jay and I are about the same age Um Tai’s first playoff um in Tai’s first uh playoff series and and and whatnot playoff run Um because now that fuels you for the next one like you know okay cool New York we it was embarrassing We figured it out for Orlando We got to a point where we could have lost to Orlando but we turned it around and and locked in You know what I mean and this is embarrassing So now we got to use that and guys got to be like okay and then we do it for that But I think that’s um that’s huge That’s key You know understand that you use your past And I think that’s why this year
was so tough on me because I was like I’ve done this before
Mhm And here we are again I think that’s why it kind of aid at me uh the way it did
Well something that was really cool to watch uh this season was just your evolution as a basketball player
how you adapted changed took less to be more
What did you learn is like the direct correlation between sacrifice and winning basketball everybody wants to sacrifice until it’s their turn I think that’s the one thing I learned and it’s like what are you willing to do to win you know what I mean and I think there’s growing pains in that you know what I mean i think this was a growing pain you know losing the way we we did But looking at the season as a whole you know there was a lot of progression in a lot of fronts by a lot of people in our group you know and I think and that’s something for me and even myself you know what I mean i think it’s something that you know I’m not going to say I oh because of me Evan did this or DG did that Like no they they worked their tails off in their own right to be who they are But I think for them for me them allowing me to lead in that way I think was was special you know what I mean i think for for me
um as a leader you can only lead if guys allow you to you know what I mean they could easily just be like “No you’re not listening to what you got to say whatever.” So I I have the utmost respect for for my teammates in that regard for allowing me to do that And then you know on the flip side I think they’d say the same because you know I feel like not many guys would want to just take a step back and be like “Nah like go ahead.” Like you know what I mean and I think that’s what ultimately played into our you know uh group success team success and you know now continuing to take that into the playoffs And you know I think the Miami series was great Um and I don’t mean this is any disrespect but it’s not realistic you don’t necessarily go in there and win by 90 combined points in two you know two games on the road
Um I think
understanding that Indiana’s more like you know that’s that series is more like okay we we need to get this one We need to like we need to inbound the ball or like this miss blockout That’s the one thing I forgot to tell you The miss blockout
Yeah
that killed me
Violation or whatnot whatever But
that was that killed me I forgot to forgot that one But
understanding that that’s now we take it up another level and being able to be ready for that on another level and that’s part of the growing process and understanding that um shit’s going to hurt like as you go through it But for me um and the group just being able to say hey take a step back and allow you know
everything to kind of continue to play out And I think it’s it’s worked and now you got to take it up another level What other conversations that you had with Kenny Atkinson about okay this is the kind of player that you have to be to be able to
unlock everybody because it just it was a vast difference in terms of minutes played how you played and so what were the mechanics of that
um it was Kenny and it was um it was Kenny and it was Johnny Bryant
Good old Johnny
Good old Johnny Like they they um
it’s funny I’ve never really I’ve never said this but I
I didn’t like it at first I changed my I changed my way I subbed in subbed out and I changed obviously minutes everybody wants to play you want to play and I think that’s that was the biggest one is like yo like what am I doing like you know what I mean and
but what I always tell everybody was like it felt great because we start out the season 15 and0 like very rarely are you met with instant gratification in something that is such a drastic change so I’m sitting there like what what are you mad at this it’s seven it’s 8 it’s nine it’s 10 And that’s when I’m a big believer in science I’m like “All right God Like I get it This is the way Now I have to figure out how to be elite in this space.” You know what I mean and I think that’s that’s what that was But Kenny came up to me and was like “Hey like try to get push Evan Moy and even more so next year Push EV push EV push EV Um you know EV has the potential man And he’s continuing to take that rise And I’m glad he said it Like they asked who the next face of the league was in five years and he said himself in WBY I love that Yeah You know what I mean and now
my push to is um I need 20 shots But he has to go and say that like give me the ball like you know being like be able to demand like you know what I mean but like I was the same way as him Like I was a little more demonstrative than he was But like being comfortable in that space you know that cuz
what comes from that is fair success and and praise but also criticism You know I’ve I’ve had five of 20s five of 36es like you know I mean I’ve had those and I’ve had people talk like talk [ __ ] talk [ __ ] on on me about that But
you keep going and he’s continuing to find that space And you know I think for for for us to be great and we’ve said it all year he has to continue to take a step So I tell him like “No we need more
Demand it If I don’t pass you the vote get on my ass
If DJ don’t give you the vote get on his ass If Ty don’t get it to you get on his ass.” And be okay with that You know what I mean and um I think that’s something that he’s continuing and he’s ready for it I have no doubt I I saw I talked to him this summer He’s ready for it He’s excited for it
Um
but you know when you’re quiet like the way he is sometimes you got to get out of body a little bit more And I think that’s that’s the growth Um so that was the conversation with Kenny
Yeah Well before I go back to Kenny can you sort of contextualize like and I said this to you very early I was like when Evan Moy figures everything out
it will be dangerous for every
1000%
Can you just contextualize sort of what it is about Evan like he has the tools he has the ability he has all of the things and it’s just when it reaches that level
it could be truly magical
Yeah I think it’s I don’t I tell people I don’t worry about the defense Like there’s certain things that he can get better at for sure
But I mean he’s defensive player of the year at 24 years old Y
you know what I mean he was first team all defense last year at 23 I might be getting his age wrong but like
but he’s young
Yeah he’s young Just so we all know Um
but offensively man like it’s an it’s we saw it the last game of the playoffs I saw it throughout most of the year That’s why he’s all NBA And then last one of the biggest reasons I resigned was him like you know seeing what he did in the Boston series especially when I when I was out and Caris was out and a bunch of guys were out like he had the ball in his hand and were figuring out like you know and and whatnot So I think for for like we said like when he figures it out and I think a lot of that too is just like the the aggression like the the come because he has it he’s shown it he’s done it and it’s now it’s
all 82 plus the 16 wins like it’s every single night And it’s not when he doesn’t do it it’s not that he’s
not capable I think it’s just understanding I was grateful you know it’s like um deja vu like what I’m telling him was what Ricky Rubio was telling me what Mike Connley was telling me what Joe was telling me Rudy was telling me like you know what I mean
um J Jordan Clarkson So now I’m that and understanding that hey like it may be some uncomfortable conversations with us It may be like can we get on each other’s ass it may be that and be okay with that You know you may demand the ball and turn it over four times in a row Don’t mean you won’t give it to you the fifth time but like understanding that that’s what comes with continuing to take the step to be the guy you know what I mean but um like I said it’s growing That’s the process of it And I think
you know you see it so much throughout the season and I’m like man he has no idea He does but he doesn’t You know what I mean and I think that’s what makes him special And he’s such a great kid and a great He has like and I mean it’s complimentary He has sort of like an innocence about him
You know exactly that like it’s just very endearing But to your point when you kind of get into that different gear you can still maintain like who you are but you’re showing something else
I think that’s when everything will sort of click and come together But no Evan Evan is great It’s been great to watch him continue to grow
Um you said something I want to revisit though which was how at first you didn’t like it You didn’t like the change
It was tough
I’m curious how you got out of it because I think for a lot of athletes generally that is the thing that will hold them back
They’ve decided they don’t like it
Why am I not playing why am I playing less
i’m Donovan Mitchell
Like it’s that ego that can get in the way of the wins And so how did you not let that happen outside of the fact that you saw that y’all were winning um I think for me to your point like I try I’m so or regimented I’m very routine based almost to a fault which is why I didn’t like it You know what I mean i think because all right even my mom and sister know like all right at 3 minute mark I’m coming out the game Y can go get food I’ll be back at the 8 minute mark in the second like second quarter Like you know that’s how much um that’s how like for seven years that’s what it was Like you know what I mean so to automatically come in and change that it was like whoa Like you know you’re throwing off my routine right my what I like to do
Um but like to your point you said a lot of guys wouldn’t do it And I tried my best to not be that star I try not to be that guy where it’s like “No I’m doing this.” Now granted if we have if I have four rings then I mean yeah does that change like yeah no we we’ve won four times doing it this way I’m going to do it this way But
I’ve done it that way and it hasn’t worked So what am I willing to do to change that you know what I mean like I said
um
everybody’s willing to sacrifice until it’s their turn And that is my thing now Now it’s like okay are you willing to do it again and again and again and that’s like you said outside of it being us being 15 and0 to start the season um you know your numbers I’m not I’m not going to have the same numbers as you know I was top five top 10 in scoring the past whatever years It’s not going to be the case necessarily You know what I mean and being okay with that
Being more efficient in less time Being okay with that Working harder to on the offseason understand like hey you’re only getting 31 minutes How are we efficient it doesn’t mean just scoring Are we turnovers are we less turnovers what’s your Are you affecting the game in a positive way you know are you rebounding are you passing are you doing all these different are you defending
yeah Um that’s what it’s going to take because like I said like for seven now eight but eight years hasn’t worked you know what I mean and not to say that I’m not good enough but it’s like we just need to find a way to elevate again and that’s by rerouting and trying to figure out a different way
You know where I feel like some similarities in what you’re saying is also the arc of Jason in which Jason sort of had to also sacrifice and understand how people would see his game but it led to a trophy Mh
Do you see any of that
yeah I think you know to your point like we everybody talked about the oh he’s not 50 It’s not the it’s not this It’s not that oh after USA he’s definitely going to you know do this and that I think to your to to my point it’s more of like the so what like this is what it’s going to take and being comfortable enough by being who we are to be like all right this is how I get in his case how do I get Jaylen Brown how am I getting Drew Harley how is Derek White i was Al [ __ ] for Chris and in my it’s like EV DG Ja Max Tai like you know what I mean like I think that’s you know what a true leader you know does and it’s not always people aren’t going to understand it because at the end of the day people aren’t who we are Like they’re not in our position So I can’t ask random fan to understand what I do You know what I mean so like when that criticism comes I
I don’t really hear you I’m not hearing what you’re saying because you don’t understand you’ve never been in that foxhole to understand
what it takes to be in this seat You know what I mean so I think that’s
the comfortability and who you are and understanding like hey this is what it’s going to take but also being uncomfortable and being comfortable being uncomfortable in that space
I feel like there have been conversations about the mental toughness of the Cavs team
How do you assess that critique
i think it’s something that is part of the growing pain You know I think you know understanding that there’s another layer I won’t say we’re weak by any mindset at all I think we’re very tough I think we’re very mentally tough but I think there’s another level Yeah
You know I think there’s you know it requires another level I think you look at what OKC did Aaron Gordon comes in hits the game-winning shot They come in take care I might be getting this wrong They come in take care of business in Denver I believe right i think Jaylen Williams had a big game or something like that they got to a similar spot they did against Dallas but they took the step you know and same thing in the finals you know they found a way and and won game seven Um that’s a step you know what I mean and for us you know we failed at that test Okay so next year we got to take that step So I don’t think we’re mentally weak as a group I think you know there’s just another level that we just need to get to and need to show the world I guess essentially and show you like yeah this is who we are But ultimately I can sit here and tell you this and we got to go out there and do it You know what I mean i think that’s that’s really what it is I think we’re strong I think we’re mentally strong I think we’re hungry but we have to go out there and and take that step
Yeah You know the only thing that I think is um more pressure than being a star on a team that has never won a championship is being a star on a team that has only won one especially in a place like Cleveland where the moment was so momentous
So you have that taste of what it is
and so it’s like okay we got to go back and do that thing This is like this is what this new standard is and now we have Donovan Mitchell and now we have to go and we have to do that
Does that resonate with you at all no because like I’m not brown like
you know when there’s being like I said it goes back to being comfortable who you were like I’m I’m not going to do it the same way that he did it You know what I mean and
who knows maybe we get there sit what do you do six times in a row maybe we do that sit for the next six years Maybe we don’t like you know what I mean but
my goal is to find ways to you know we’re not the LeBron James Kyrie Irving Cavaliers We do it differently We do it with Evan We do it with myself We do it with DG We do it with Max we do with Jay all the guys on the roster and it’s just different And I don’t think it’s a I think it’s something that people talk about It’s a it’s something that I think is is is great for the city by all means And obviously we we have a picture of the parade and something we want to put you know um
you know understanding that hey like
you know we want to do it our own way you know what I mean and
um while still having respect for what was done for the city you know what I mean but I think for me I’m understanding that I we do it differently and we’re going to try to find a way to do it differently And if we succeed fantastic If we fail I promise you we going to do it We we going to keep going Like you know what I mean and I think that’s um there’s always that comparison Uh for sure There’s always going to be that comparison cuz there’s only one there’s only one other time
But I think we’re all comfortable I’m comfortable to be like hey like
that’s not us That was them that team We are different We are going to try to accomplish what obviously they did and and and be the second team to win in franchise history Um but being okay with like hey like you know it’s not 2016 It was special That was a special that was a special year and we’re looking to do something special ourselves um for the city because they deserve it The fans deserve it Um and that’s that’s the goal
Yeah I love that Few more before I let you go But I do want to say this is like a master class on emotional intelligence Thank you
And I think that
it took a while You know it took a while
but you are absolutely here And I think that you have a real self-awareness and you have very clearly
sat with yourself to figure out how you feel how you get better
what has happened to you and how you can can continue to grow And a lot of people never get to that place Um so I hope that you at minimum take a second to understand the ways that you have grown as an individual that of course plays into who you are as a player but understanding that it starts foundationally and the root of that and most people don’t even get there So
I appreciate that
Take a moment to take that in Which by the way when we were researching this I saw that from what like third to 9th grade you took public speaking classes And I feel like it shows and sort of how you are with the media How do you think that has like influenced the way that you’re able to express yourself
i would have never thought that public speaking in middle school would be my my damn near daily job Like you know what I mean like
I think it’s easy for me now I think it’s something that was way harder in middle school with my friends Like you know what I mean it’s way harder to talk in front of a room full of your friends
Yeah than in any other I could speak I can honestly speak to a whole arena and be perfectly fine Totally
I think it’s something that when I’m sitting there and it’s just 10 classmates or if you advance which I never did to the next round was um like the auditorium full of kids I I feel like that’s way tougher than anything I do now I think it helps for sure I think it makes me way more comfortable in in these spaces
Yeah No it’s great I thought that was such a nice little nugget So it was every grade
from third to 9th And then I went on to be um class president So then I had to do more speaking engagements in front of my friends
Look at that
At high school So that was those were the tougher years I think cuz that was like your people you know and they can laugh and whatever But I think now it’s it’s easy
Yeah I mean you’re young so you obviously have years and years and years before you even think about this But like what is what do you want life to look like after basketball in terms of what you do
what I do or like what I’ve like what I do after basketball
yeah or however you want to answer it because you smiled and you were about to give me something So tell me that and then answer my question I think you know that one
I do know Okay I do know that one Okay
I know what you wanted to look like personally And it’s beautiful Tell me what you want professionally
I think professionally um I want to coach but not at the NBA or even the college level I want to coach at the high school that I’m currently doing things at at country day um continue building that program of you know bringing kids from the inner city to a private school where I went to where I took public speaking
um and kind of doing it through basketball Um and if it’s not coach be involved obviously with the with the program but I feel like the youth now I don’t mean to dog on our youth when I say this but like sometimes can be led astray Like and there’s certain things where it’s like nah Like you know what I mean it’s just like I think for me being able to be who I am use the platform I have um by then also coming to school and be like “Hey it doesn’t have to be just NBA.” Like yes you’re here to play basketball but like the kid sitting next to you is parents on the Forbes list and they do this and they do that and they live 45 minutes from you or they live 30 minutes from you understanding what’s up the street and being able to show them a different lifestyle because you know in our communities it’s like it’s like it’s like rapper it’s it’s basketball it’s sports it’s so whatever but like understand there’s so many other ways to be able to provide for your family and I was exposed to that at an early age I was very fortunate and and blessed so now using my platform to be able to bring that to kids who are close from New York City from upstate Connecticut like wherever they may be and being able to say hey like you know we’re here to hoop for sure but we’re also here to get a great education and put yourself cuz you know life is all about connections like put yourself in in a scenario where you know and you’re comfortable sitting in every space and I think that’s something for me um that I take a lot of pride in um and we’re in the earlier years I’ve been doing this for the scholarship program my my family we’ve been doing this for I want to say three or four or five years
yes congrats on gym is his name
yes just built just built the gym um and I’m excited about that so now it’s like how do I continue to elevate and you know help our community And I think that’s something that I really you know hold near and dear to me Um because like I said it really helped me Um you like I took like you said I took public speaking in the third grade You know what I mean that’s a
I’m I’m very fortunate to to have that So just being able to bring that and give that to kids um especially the younger generation being able to show them I think it’s huge
Oh my goodness Coach Don
Yeah coming coming to us
I might be more like Rick Patino than anything else as a coach but uh we’ll see
I love that Okay two more questions and I’ll let you go Uh just because I think this sort of
sets the stage for what just happened but also what is coming and this is a broad question but what does the regular season mean to me or in general
to you [Music] uh how do I say this it’s important
I think it’s um I think we kind of fair or unfair We hold this expectation of the playoffs and that’s it I think we miss a lot of special moments a lot of special things because we overlook the regular season Um I think it’s definitely important obviously for seating you mean you want to you want to win games but I think it’s important for not just us but I think it’s important for our fans I think it’s important to be able to reach and go to different cities um and showcase our talent and be there and just like I said just being just being there you know what I mean and even if we don’t play just being on the bench and kids can say they saw us and you never know whose first game it’s going to be Um you never know what that moment will be able to do to inspire you know and that’s what drives our league That’s why our league is the best league in the world Um but I also think it’s just I think it’s very important I think it’s something that you also as a basketball team you build habits that get you to the playoffs You work on things that get you to the playoffs You know in game 25 and you know we’re in a backtoback versus I don’t know Miami and Atlanta
um you know they’re two different styles but we could see them All right cool What does that look like or if we’re playing you know New York and Boston what does that look like you know I mean understanding that you know are we down like for instance we played Boston this year We were down 25 to three We responded
very much so
two years ago Yeah Like two years ago I don’t know if we do that
[ __ ] out of here I’ve been on JT for that one too Um but I think um like understanding that like we responded that’s a step you know what I mean but then also later in the season we went on a four game skid or five game skid I played awful Played like [ __ ] But like I’d rather that I said this in the media I’d rather it happen right now Mhm So we learn from this So then we get to the playoffs and we figure it out like you know what I mean so I think it’s really critical I think it’s important I think you know it’s it’s great for our fans but it’s also great for building the right habits Uh so when you get to the playoffs
Okay Well I do have to ask cuz that game that was probably that was one of the best games of last season You lead the Cavs 22-point comeback to beat the Celtics
We have Jason doing the get the [ __ ] out of here What’s the conversation with Jason after that um so it’s funny Me him and Bam have a uh group chat
So Bam was the one that brought it up I wasn’t going to say nothing I know JT damn cuz every time like we lose like we take a day like we take a few days
and then we come back and like everything’s cool and you know I mean that’s just how we are
Um so I think Bam said something and then we kind of laughed it off from from that point on But
we’ve had a few of them we got the playoff series you know and then Bam and I had our own playoff series this year
Um but that moment that was it was funny man I guess that’s what you don’t you get those moments you know through 82 games you know what I mean you get those moments and
um
and he’s had them on other
Exactly He’s with 50 points It’s like he’s he’s had big nights I’ve had 71 Like you know like those are those are special moments that are etched in history Those are special moments that you know are you know great talking points and people on Twitter are talking about like it’s what drives us But that game was fun It was I love I love playing in Boston I love competing against especially him and JB Those are my genuine friends um who I’ve known since high school Yeah
Um so I think it’s something that I think is you know it’s great But that that was that was a good moment for for Clayton That was fun I’m glad we had that
I forgot what he said but he I don’t know it was something along the lines like if it was if I were to summarize it be like so we not going to talk about it or something [ __ ] like that Like you know what I’m saying like
crickets
right like you know what I mean something like that But Bam’s always the one that’s like egging [ __ ] on like that Exactly Always
I love it Okay last question We ask everybody this on the show Tell me the biggest assist you’ve ever received off the court Who has given you the biggest assist off the court um I think I mean my mom and my sister I think are you know we’re here in New York like I’m I’m from here I live here and for them we spend a lot of time here Mhm
AU tournaments baseball games hot gyms um hours upon hours and my mom sacrificing her time you know and kind of following us around My dad works for the Mets He was continually finding ways to help you know for the family and still work for the Mets Big game tonight by the way But um and then my sister like taking time you know from being a young girl like you know whether it’s much I hate to say this boyfriends like you know what I mean parties
you know what I mean like
being forced to go to hang with me to do something that didn’t it wasn’t like I was this child prodigy who was like oh he’s going to get to the NBA like that wasn’t
this was just a
something I just did on the weekends with my friends you know what I mean i was a baseball player I was you know this was to be in a hot gym all day for something I was trash Like I was not good So like I’m always really you know grateful for them and my family because this wasn’t the plan This was just something that they did to support their family member you know what I mean and I think for them to be able to do that allowed me to kind of get to this point to where I’m able to take care of them and for life you know what I mean and life is good So um I think that’s the biggest assist for me in life Um for sure
I love that Well shout out Miss Nicole and Jordan And thank you to you for being so
open for giving your thoughts for reliving something that I know was definitely difficult at the time Um it has been a real joy for me to see you evolve as a player as a person and see where you are at right now And I’m really excited for what life is going to bring you what basketball will bring you And I appreciate you taking the time to do this
Always appreciate you
Yeah of course Thanks Doc
Thank you

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell sits down with Taylor Rooks to discuss what felt different about this past season with the Cavs, opens up about the playoff loss and why he wasn’t able to leave Cleveland after the season ended. He also shares new details on his calf injury, reacts to ‘misinformation’ around Tyrese Haliburton tearing his Achilles, learning to be at peace with his losses, how he’s grown as a leader with this young Cavs core, and why he doesn’t feel pressure of playing in LeBron’s shadow.

@statefarm

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