With injuries piling up, the Cleveland Cavaliers must strategically reposition Donovan Mitchell to unlock new offensive potential beyond isolation.
Donovan Mitchell draws attention anywhere he goes on the court, so the Cleveland Cavaliers will need to keep finding ways to put him in a position to succeed.
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to get MVP-caliber performances on a nightly basis from Donovan Mitchell, who is putting together one of the most productive and efficient seasons of his career. The drawback is that, since this is a team sport, he can't do it all alone, and opponents recognize that.
Mitchell has seen double teams and traps increase since Darius Garland went down for the second time this season with a right toe sprain. Defenders are denying him the ball to the point where they're stuck to Spida like glue away from the ball so that even his teammates can't pass him the ball.
Add in the fact that Evan Mobley is now sidelined anywhere from one week to three weeks, and Cleveland will have to figure out how to keep Mitchell from dribbling too much and getting him touches in advantageous spots.
That means getting the All-Star guard off the ball and allowing guys like Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr., Lonzo Ball, and Tyrese Proctor to bring it up the floor. Actions to get Mitchell going off screens are going to be paramount with Cleveland down two of its Core Four.
In an episode of Courtside with Cavs, Spencer German and I envisioned what it may look like:
"It's been turnover-heavy when Donovan's dominated the ball as that point guard type, so if you get him a little bit more free. Have him in almost like that Bruce Brown-ish, Craig Porter type of spot, trying different things without him iso-ing and taking bad shots. I think it gets him a little more loose and able to catch the ball, at least to draw some fouls or something."
On Wednesday night, the Cavs will host LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated bout on national television. Following that, Cleveland has a five-game road trip out west on the docket. The wine and gold will tip it off on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
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