Donovan Mitchell will never forget Chris Paul’s “push”.
« Am I going there? I’m not going there? » The question drags on Donovan Mitchell in 2017, after spending two years in Louisville. The guard then wonders if it’s time to head to the NBA by entering the draft.
« I wouldn’t be in the NBA without it Chris Paul etc Paul George. After one practice, when I was deciding whether to stay in the draft or go back to college, they both told me, ‘Hey, you belong in the league. You don’t have to go back to college. I was 19, trying to figure out what to do. Go back to college? How to make the right decision? », The Cavs guard remembers today.
Not going that year would of course only push the deadline. But the native of New York, under the influence of two players who are already well established in the league and with whom he is used to trainingdecided to enter the Draft that year. Despite serious doubts.
« And at that time it was not NIL system which allows you to return. It was more like, ‘If you go, you go, and that’s it.’ I suddenly panicked. We couldn’t just ‘test the water’. This is how we made the decision », repositions Donovan Mitchell.
“CP3” and “PG” were right
The latter adds: ” So to give me that kind of advice and that motivation to make up my mind when I’m terrified – to be honest, because I didn’t see myself succeeding, but they did. And I’m grateful (to Paul) for that, because he had absolutely none of it. »
“CP3” and “PG” were right, because after being drafted 13th overall (by the Nuggets), Donovan Mitchell narrowly missed out on winning the Rookie of the Year award from Ben Simmons after averaging over 20 points in his first season with the Jazz. A nice surprise for the player we placed forward defensive profile first.
So, almost ten years after this advice from his mentor, Donovan Mitchell is having a hard time digesting the sad end of Chris Paul, who announced his retirement without having one last chance to compete for the title.
« To see his career end like this is bullshit. I don’t read everything that’s said, I don’t know all the behind-the-scenes details. That’s not my job. But I know when you have a guy like him, there’s a level (of respect) you owe him, and we didn’t give him that opportunity, which I don’t think is fair ».
Donovan Mitchell then describes “ an amazing person. An exceptional playmaker. An outstanding player. He brought a lot to this sport. As president (of the players’ union), he did a lot for us. I wanted to pay tribute to CP because he did a lot for me, but also for basketball in general. »
| Donovan Mitchell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | UTA | 79 | 33:24 | 43.7 | 34.0 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.5 |
| 2018-19 | UTA | 77 | 33:44 | 43.2 | 36.2 | 80.6 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | UTA | 69 | 34:16 | 44.9 | 36.6 | 86.3 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2020-21 | UTA | 53 | 33:25 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | UTA | 67 | 33:49 | 44.8 | 35.5 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 25.9 |
| 2022-23 | CLE | 68 | 35:46 | 48.4 | 38.6 | 86.7 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 28.3 |
| 2023-24 | CLE | 55 | 35:19 | 46.2 | 36.8 | 86.5 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 26.6 |
| 2024-25 | CLE | 71 | 31:26 | 44.3 | 36.8 | 82.3 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2025-26 | CLE | 51 | 33:42 | 48.7 | 37.6 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 29.0 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-02-18 08:21:00
