On the night when Darius Garland’s return was supposed to be the biggest headline, Donovan Mitchell came in and he absolutely stole the show. Every shot he took was going in. He wasn’t turning the ball over, and was finding open teammates oon every other possession.
For a team that has dealt with injuries as Cleveland as, Mitchell sure has made sure to to step up nightly. There really hasn’t been much he hasn’t done.
And in this case, against the Philadelphia 76ers, Spida proved once again why he may have a real case to win the MVP this year.
Donovan Mitchell On a Roll
The 5-3 start by the Cavs this year is not quite on par with the 15-0 beginning last time around. But even still, the new-look roster has proven a lot. Lonzo Ball just led the team in assists off the bench. Larry Nance Jr. has been providing some quality minutes. And it appears that Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill got the memo, as they have not been missing shots from anywhere.
Donovan Mitchell was already playing at a high level entering the 76ers game. He had been averaging 29.5 points and nearly five assists per night, making 55% of his shots. Before that game, his MVP odds had been at +20000. They shot up to to +7500 after he absolutely man-handled the tired Sixers.
Mitchell, claiming to take inspiration from a kid calling him “washed” in 2K, had one of the best nights of his career. He scored 46 points, while making 15 of his 21 shots from the floor. He shot 9-10 from inside the arc, and 6-11 from distance. The Cavs star also dished out eight assists, making sure to leave no stone unturned, and no matchup un-torched.
Whatever you can use for inspiration, right?
The Mitchell MVP case is one that should be taken seriously. Sure, Tyrese Maxey is having an insane season. Nikola Jokić is posting triple-doubles every night. Victor Wembanyama is putting up stat-lines that are hard to believe are real. Giannis Antetokounmpo has had some crazy efficiency. That doesn’t even mention Luka Doňcić, or reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
But when you look at it, Mitchell is averaging 32 points and five assists a night while shooting 57% from the floor and 45% from 3PT for the Cavs through seven appearances. He absolutely belongs in the conversation. The box score doesn’t lie.
Checklist for Donovan Mitchell MVP to Come to Fruition
As good as all the new players have been looking this year, there is a serious case here. The Donovan Mitchell MVP argument is a valid one. But, a few things are going to have to happen.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely need to finish the season atop the East. Mitchell himself will need to prove himself against some of the top teams, putting up the numbers in games played on national television. And most importantly, he will need to stay healthy.
The Louisville product has missed 11, 14, and 27 games over his first three years in Cleveland, and will need to play as many as possible to keep the strongest case.
The thing is, his odds being +7500 feel incredibly low right now. The performance Mitchell had against the Sixers, what with 46 points, eight assists, and hitting 15 of 21 shots, was historic. He became just the second NBA player to hit all these parameters, and is now in the company of Michael Jordan, considered the GOAT, by many. That’s been the level all season.
Mitchell has also shot 13-18 (35 pts), 12-21 (37 pts), 10-15 (35 pts) on the year. The efficiency is incredible.
As the season winds forward, keep your eyes on the Cavs. The Mitchell MVP may look like a pipe dream right now, but it could pick up some traction. He’s been on a mission for Cleveland. And the operation is just getting started.
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