Game Night Observations: Donovan Mitchell's Huge Night, Identity Building and a Rising Star
For just the second time this year, the Cavs have won four straight games.
CLEVELAND — When Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about the play of Donovan Mitchell after the game on Monday night, he couldn’t help but laugh1.
“I told him he was Dwyane Wade,” Atkinson said after a chuckle.
That praise came on the heels of Mitchell’s second straight masterpiece against the Orlando Magic. Mitchell scored 45 points on 15-of-25 shooting to lead the Cavs to a 114-98 victory. In the win on Saturday he had 36 points, with 27 of them coming in the second half.
There are definitely differences between the games of Wade and Mitchell. Wade’s prime years came in an era where volume 3-point shooting wasn’t what it is now. It was a skill that he never really developed, because he wasn’t asked to do so, while Mitchell has become one of the best volume 3-point shooters in the NBA.
But there are similarities, too. Wade earned the nickname “Flash” because of his explosiveness and quickness. When that was combined with the strength that Wade had, it made him incredibly difficult to stop. That’s what Mitchell has in common with him. There may not be a player presently in the NBA that possesses the caliber of strength, explosiveness and speed that Mitchell does at his size. He’s built like a linebacker2 and moves like a sprinter. When that’s paired with his ability to finish at the basket and light it up from beyond the arc, you get the superstar that Mitchell is.
“I’m biased, but I can’t imagine he’s not a top three player in this league. Like, he’s not in MVP conversation is kind of mind boggling to me. I don’t know why3,” Atkinson said. “He’s having an incredible year.”
