CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the Cavs’ leader and one of the faces of the NBA, star guard Donovan Mitchell understands that judgment comes in spring.
Conference finals. NBA finals. Championships.
Despite plenty of regular season success, Cleveland — and Mitchell — has become synonymous with playoff failure, especially after a record-setting 64-win season ended in the conference semifinals against underdog Indiana.
Will this year finally be different?
Here’s what Mitchell had to say at Cavs Media Day on Monday afternoon:
On what he needs to do individually to help the Cavs take the next step:
“Obviously, you’re excited, you’re excited to be back, ready to go, locked in. It’s kind of at a point now where it’s just, it’s just time to go get it, you know what I mean? I think for us, not really worried about where we’re seeded, where we’re slated. Got to go out there and handle business. It doesn’t matter if we’re number one, number eight. At the end of the day, you know, we gotta handle our business. I’m excited. The group is excited. For me, I think just being able to take my game to another level in all facets, whether that’s scoring, passing, rebounding, playing defense, being in better shape, all the different things that come with that.
What will it take for the Cavs to finally have playoff success?
“I think there’s a mental push. I think physically we understand. I think there’s a want to, which is what makes what I’m about to say easier. You can’t really have a mental push if you don’t want to be there, [if you don’t] want to grow. So that’s first and foremost, I think, just being mentally understanding. Physically, you can be there, but mentally, can we continue to push through that? We’ve run into the same wall three times in a row, so to speak, and mentally you can stop and quit. So are we? And I’m saying, are we? But I know the answer. Are we willing to every day continue to hit your head against the wall and keep pounding, keep going as we continue to make this push? And I think we are, and I believe we are.
On coach Kenny Atkinson being more involved in offseason development:
“I think it’s huge. I think you will see it as the season progresses. I think it’s very unfortunate that [Darius Garland] and Max [Strus] are out, but I think that will put to test right away what you’re speaking on. I think you’re going to see a lot of guys that maybe the world may not know right now, but I think you’re going to start to see just because of the work that they put in. They’ve spent a lot of time here. The Craig Porters of the world, the Jaylon Tysons. Nae’Qwan [Tomlin] has been phenomenal. Tyrese [Proctor], Luke Travers. There’s a lot of guys I think are really going to benefit from being with Kenny for a full summer. And then obviously, you know, myself, [Evan Mobley], DG, [De’Andre Hunter], [Jarrett Allen], Max. You look at everybody, I think you’re going to see a natural progression, but it’s not guaranteed. We still got to go out there and do what we gotta do.”
What was your reaction to the Lonzo Ball trade and what kind of impact can he have?
“Big time. He’s a guy that sees the floor naturally. He’s a defender. We came into the league together, same draft class and he’s always been a pest defensively because of his knowledge, his IQ. His cerebral part of the game I think will help us a lot.
On president of basketball operations Koby Altman saying Mitchell is in mid-season form:
“I made it a point to be ready earlier, especially once Max went down. Honestly, once I got that phone call, I think within the next two days a mental shift just happened. Just understanding what’s going to be required, not being Superman, but understanding that being ready for what’s necessary. Understanding that we have enough talent in this room to win. We led the East last year in wins. So for me, I’m just saying I’m ready for whatever. It’s just time. I really don’t have any other way to describe it. It’s just like I’m ready to go and I understand, at the same token, it’s a long journey too. So not being stupid with the process, but also understanding that my body is ready for whatever’s needed and it’s better to be here and have to scale it back than be catching up because that’s where, you know, bad things start to happen injury wise and all that good stuff. I’m ready to go and kind of setting the tone, it’s just like, all right, you know, it’s time to go.”
His role in Evan Mobley’s evolution:
“Just continuing what we’ve been doing. I’m in his ear. Obviously, our lockers are right next to each other. We shoot together. Constant communication. But I think for me, just the level of empowerment, continuing to play through mistakes, continue to take his game to a different level. There’s a want to that I think helps and makes this a lot easier. It’s not like I’m trying to pry this out of him. You know what I’m saying? He’s just as committed to being as great as I am to saying that he is, which makes it easier. I think with guys being out, it’ll come to the forefront a lot faster, especially this season because as much as I talk about I’m in shape, he’s ready to go too. He’s ready for that and he wants that. I’m excited for him.”
What he learned from the Indiana loss:
“I think the biggest thing is just understand that we’ve just got to keep going. Sorry I gave you the political answer, but that’s really all I got. We’ve just got to keep going and be ready for what the season brings.”
On his focus this offseason:
“I think I always talk about my playmaking. I don’t feel like that gets enough credit. Making the right reads, making the right plays, and it may not always lead to assist. I think when we think of playmaking, we think of creating shots for each individual. Sometimes it’s just simply throwing the ball from a pass ahead or if there’s help with the nail then passing across. Putting guys in a position to attack a closeout by using my gravity to create movement and shots for everybody.”
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