For Donovan Mitchell, the definition of greatness has changed. Once focused on being an elite scorer, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star guard now sees the game through a different lens—one sharpened by the pursuit of a championship.
Throughout his career, Mitchell was known for lighting up scoreboards. His offensive firepower made him a standout, but it’s become clear that scoring alone won’t deliver the ultimate prize. This season, Mitchell is dedicated to becoming a more complete player, embracing the gritty details that often go unnoticed on stat sheets.
“For years, I always thought you just scored,” Mitchell said after putting up 27 against the New York Knicks. “I’m not gonna lie. Y’all have seen it in my play at times, especially early in my career. It’s all I knew. This was all new to me. Like, I didn’t expect to be Donovan Mitchell.”
Now, Mitchell tracks personal goals on his phone—objectives designed to make him a more versatile player. After grabbing six rebounds against the Knicks, the Cavaliers’ superstar took another step toward one of those targets.
But statistics are just part of the story. It’s his commitment to defense, playmaking, and leadership that’s transforming his game.
Donovan Mitchell is doing the dirty work for the Cavaliers
Mitchell’s evolution has been on full display. Against the Los Angeles Clippers, he pulled down 12 rebounds, battling on the boards against physical bigs like Ivica Zubac. On other nights, he’s made clutch defensive plays. Whether it’s blocking shots or diving for loose balls, Mitchell is setting the tone for the Cavaliers by doing the dirty work.
“He’s leading it,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said when asked about Mitchell doing the little things. “He backs it up. He’s on the guys in the huddle, and there’s no question who our leader is. He’s leading by example right now, doing the dirty work.”
Mitchell’s willingness to sacrifice has helped the Cavs establish a defensive identity. Instead of focusing solely on scoring, he’s putting his athleticism and 6’10” wingspan to work on the other end of the floor. It’s a noticeable shift from his early years when critics often pointed to defensive lapses and isolation-heavy play.
While Mitchell’s transformation is self-driven, it’s also the result of a trusted voice—associate head coach Johnnie Bryant. The two forged a bond in Utah, where Bryant helped mold Mitchell from an exciting rookie into an All-Star. Now reunited in Cleveland, Bryant continues to push him to new heights.
Johnnie Bryant has unlocked this new phase of Donovan Mitchell’s career
“I got to give Johnnie a lot of credit in that (role change) too,” Mitchell said. “He was pretty much the first person to kind of bring it to me. Because as a head coach, you delegate to the other coaches and whatnot. So he was like, ‘Hey, this is what it’s going to look like’. And it wasn’t really a question.
“It wasn’t really like, ‘Hey, are you cool?’ That’s just the relationship we have. It’s more like, ‘Hey, this is what it’s going to be and this is what’s going to help take us to the next level.’
“And I trust that guy with everything, man. That’s more than just a coach, that’s a brother, that’s family. That’s somebody that I trust with just life, let alone just basketball.”
Bryant’s approach is honest, sometimes blunt. He doesn’t hesitate to call Mitchell out when needed, knowing it brings out the best in him.
“There are times he’s chewing me out, and my teammates are like, ‘Man, he’s trippin’.’ But that’s our relationship,” Mitchell joked. “That’s just Thursday to me. I thrive off that.”
Bryant’s role has been crucial as Mitchell embraces a mentality built around making winning plays—not just highlight-reel moments. And as the playoffs approach, Mitchell knows his scoring will still be vital.
However, when it comes to Mitchell’s commitment to the little things like rebounding, defending, and holding teammates accountable, that could elevate Cleveland from a contender to a champion.
“It’s a different approach,” Mitchell said. “It’s a different view on certain things, and that’s ultimately what a leader, and what a guy like myself, should do.
” [It’s about] finding ways to impact winning. … How do I continue to help the team? Because when you help the team and we win, everything else kind of falls into place.”
The drive to bring the Cavaliers another championship
Mitchell’s drive to win a title has changed his approach entirely. No longer consumed by points and accolades, he’s chasing the moments that decide games—the clutch stops, the hustle plays, the intangibles.
He’s also taken a step back to lift others, letting young talents like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen shine. This unselfish approach, focused on the collective good, defines his new leadership style.
“I’ve heard for so many years, everybody talks about sacrifice,” Mitchell said. “Everybody says [you’ve] got to sacrifice until it’s your turn. You know what I mean? And are you willing to do that for the greater good of the group? That’s the ultimate test to me.”
Cleveland’s championship hopes hinge on this new version of Donovan Mitchell. His evolution has made him a true leader for the Cavaliers. The road ahead won’t be easy, but Mitchell is ready for the challenge.
As the Cavaliers aim for their first title since 2016, Mitchell’s transformation could be the key to glory. No longer defined by scoring alone, he’s proving that true greatness is about lifting those around you.
This is the Donovan Mitchell Cleveland needs—the one willing to sacrifice everything for a shot at a championship.
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