NBA’s Toughest Players to Guard: Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell is spilling the tea on the toughest offensive stars to guard, and it’s a must-read!

Mitchell’s Nightmare List of Offensive Stars

So, Donovan Mitchell got real about the players that give him sleepless nights during an interview on Wave Sports + Entertainment’s 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & The Kid Mero. You’d think he’d put himself on that list, right? But nah, he had other names in mind. He kicked off with, "I would say, Book [Devin Booker], Ant [Anthony Edwards]," and then added, "I’d say JB [Jaylen Brown] but put all the Celtics in there. I have so much respect for them. Steph [Curry], because you got to run with that motherf–ker. You know Steph is just running around nonstop."

And he didn’t stop there. "I can’t say the KD’s [Kevin Durant], the Bron’s [LeBron James] because I don’t guard them, you know what I’m saying? I give respect to Jalen Brunson here in New York. That motherf–ker, he’s nice," Mitchell explained. Makes sense, considering he usually matches up against other guards.

Spida’s Stellar Stats and New Deal

Mitchell’s been on fire lately. The dude’s been an All-Star five years straight, putting up insane numbers: 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from three. And let’s not forget, he just signed a massive three-year, $150.3 million extension with the Cavs, including a player option for the 2027-28 season. Talk about securing the bag!

He’s stoked about sticking around in Cleveland, even though some doubted his commitment. "Until the pen hits the paper, obviously words don’t mean anything. But for me, man, once I got traded here, I didn’t even know what was here until I got here," he said. "I just really love the people. I love the passion, the fandom, the organization obviously, and obviously my teammates."

Embracing the Pressure in Cleveland

During a chat with Andscape, Mitchell opened up about what it means to be the main man in Cleveland. Despite the allure of bigger markets, he’s all in with the Cavs. "You got to be the guy. And sometimes that means going out there and scoring. Sometimes that means going out there and then make sure everybody gets involved. Most nights it’s getting everybody involved, I should say. That is what comes with it," he shared.

In my opinion, Mitchell’s attitude is exactly what Cleveland needs. He’s ready to shoulder the load and lead by example. "Being the guy, when the praise comes, it’s never always about me. It’s about my guys and helping me get there," he said. "So, understanding that whether we go far, we don’t go far, that’ll be placed on my shoulders and understanding and accepting that pressure and embracing it," Spida emphasized. "I feel like I’ve had that for the majority of my career."

So, what do you think? Will Mitchell lead the Cavs to the Finals, or will the pressure be too much?

James Shotwell
James Shotwell
James, a dedicated writer for BasketballHour, holds a degree in English and Creative Writing. A genuine sports enthusiast and skilled betting advice provider, he writes engaging articles and valuable winning strategies for sports.

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