The Cavs no longer need Donovan Mitchell to do everything, but he’s there when they need him

CLEVELAND — A subtle but important trend is emerging within the Cleveland Cavaliers, the type of change that signals legitimate growth that could have profound ramifications through April and beyond.

There was a time when the Cavs relied heavily on Donovan Mitchell – too much. He was brought to Cleveland to show a young team how to compete, which meant he moved into their entire offense late in games. Give the ball to Donovan and get out of his way. Night after night after night.

It resulted in the best two statistical seasons of his career, but all that scoring and personal productivity only resulted in one playoff victory. Mitchell is now in his eighth season. He already has All-Star appearances and two mammoth contracts. All that’s missing is playoff success.

That’s what makes his numbers intriguing this year. Mitchell’s counting stats are down in virtually every traditional category: he’s playing fewer minutes, scoring less, grabbing fewer rebounds and passing fewer assists. Still, this is the best team he’s played on since arriving in Cleveland and probably the best team he’s ever played on.

The Cavs are discovering the benefit of managing to improve (drastically?) as a unit while relying less on Mitchell. This is not to deny its importance. Quite the contrary. He is still their leader. He is still the alpha and their best player on the field.

But they’re learning not to rely on him too much at any given moment, allowing nights like Sunday’s win over Boston to unfold organically and pop a little more. Mitchell didn’t miss a beat in the fourth quarter, making all six of his shots and scoring 20 of the Cavs’ 43 points in an important win over the defending champions.

DONOVAN MITCHELL HUGE 4Q

20 PTS (35 total)
8 in a row in 67 seconds
6-6 FGM
4 p.m.-4 p.m. 3 p.m.@cavs come back from 14 in 2 hours to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference! pic.twitter.com/1SC8mKjhCb

-NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024

It’s only December, early December at that, but these games matter. If the Cavs had fallen to 0-2 in the season series against the Celtics, it would be a little more daunting to secure the top spot in the East and in the field throughout the playoffs. It also would have given the Cavs three straight losses against long, athletic teams that can give fits to an undersized team like the Cavs.

After losing two games to the Atlanta Hawks, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson joked that the East-leading Cavs could lose 15 in a row. These are the emotional highs and lows of life in the NBA.

How much length the Cavs will face compared to some of the best teams in the league is a real issue worth exploring at another time. Dean Wade helps when healthy, but the Cavs often remain undersized at several positions despite the presence of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

For now, Mitchell’s fourth-quarter eruption erased the brief defeat, punched the East’s biggest bully in the mouth and reminded the Cavs that their best closer is always there when they need him him.

Until then, Darius Garland’s usage rate is up from last season and Evan Mobley’s is the highest of his career. And Mitchell learned a valuable lesson last year about postponing that will only help in the months to come.

I spoke to Mitchell during his first season here about his approach. Would he ever be willing to run a game, I asked him, if it taught him a valuable lesson?

Maybe this gives a young player a chance to win a game at the buzzer. Maybe he stands in the corner and tells his younger teammates, “I’m not going to bail you out tonight.” Go find out for yourself.

Mitchell said no, he would never think of doing that. He has to win every game he plays, he told me, and he will do whatever it takes to do that.

By the end of last season, his answer had changed. We talked about it again and Mitchell admitted he still had some things to learn too. And when a lingering knee problem in the second half of the season sapped some of his stamina and left him winded late in the match, he had to rely on others.

Garland had a miserable season, but Mitchell’s experiences relying on him late in a few games, winning a playoff series and advancing to the second round were still beneficial.

The Cavs now have one of the most complete rosters in the league, with an emerging star in Mobley and a veteran closer in Mitchell. It’s a good place to be.

Garland, Mobley, Mitchell and Caris LeVert are among the league leaders in the NBA’s clutch category — when the game is within five points in the fourth quarter or overtime. Mitchell is tied for fifth in the league in such scenarios with 39 points. Garland isn’t far behind.

This is another indication of what the Cavs are building this season. They no longer need Mitchell to do everything for them every night. But he is the hammer they can use if necessary. The Cavs are growing and maturing. All.

Required reading

(Photo: David Richard / Imagn Images)