The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to start a new season with their brand new star Donovan Mitchell, who was traded by the Utah Jazz at the start of the month. After several years without success in Utah, Mitchell finds himself now in a privileged position to compete.
The Eastern Conference isn’t easy by any means, but the Cavs have a solid squad, a terrific head coach that led them to the play-in tournament last season, and the addition of Mitchell, which is expected to take them to the next level.
Mitchell’s offensive arsenal is well-known around the league, but the shooting guard is now set to show that he can be an impactful player on both ends of the ball. Spida is ready to show his defensive talents and recently vowed to prove that in Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell Wants To Show People He’s A Good Defender
During the Cavaliers media day, Mitchell talked to reporters, saying that with his new teammates, he won’t have huge pressure to take care of the offensive burden in Cleveland, which will allow him to have more responsibilities on defense, which will obviously benefit the Cavaliers.
“It’s not the ability,” Mitchell said on Tuesday, via Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. “I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here.”
Spida admitted that he has to learn the defensive language of his new team since he played with different words under Quin Snyder in Utah.
“I’m supposed to say ‘Nail’ when I’m on the help with the nail. (Coach Greg Buckner) said, ‘What is it?’ I was playing live; I didn’t know what the hell I was saying,” Mitchell said as he laughed. “I was like, ‘Help. X. Something.’ I’m standing there, just trying to figure it out. That was one of the funniest moments because I was just saying something. That’s the biggest thing I tell people, ‘If you don’t know what to say, just scream.’ Just say something, that way you’re used to talking. That way when you figure it out it comes naturally.”
He’s keen to show everybody that he can be a good two-way player in the NBA while helping the Cavaliers clinch one of the top 6 spots in the Eastern Conference next season.
“We are here to go 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1,” Mitchell said. “Finding ways to do that. It starts with the little things – attention to detail, keeping my man in front, being there, making the extra effort to contest. That’s ultimately what my goal is here as one of the leaders on the team. Continue to put forth that effort on both ends.”
After many years in Utah, Mitchell is ready to prove doubters wrong. He couldn’t play the Western Conference Finals with the Jazz and now is ready to build something good with the young Cavaliers team.
