Arrived last summer in Cleveland from Utah, Donovan Mitchell had arguably the best individual season of his career, averaging 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 68 games. With in addition to very good percentages: 48.4% in shooting including 38.6% at 3-pointers. Without forgetting of course, his legendary performance with 71 points against the Bulls, on January 2, 2023!
Statistics that allowed him to hold the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. At the end of the season, he was also named to one of the three All-NBA teams. Also a first for him since joining the league in 2017.
But now, the back of the Cavaliers was named “only” in the All-NBA Second Team. And the latter thinks he should have been part of the All-NBA First Team. As a reminder, this first team is made up of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I think I should have made the All-NBA First Team” said Donovan Mitchell. “So that’s one of my goals for next year: to be part of the first team. And I felt like I was good enough to be there this year. But obviously members of the media thought otherwise.”.
Donovan Mitchell got 45 first-team votes, less than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (63) or Luka Doncic (60). Which is far from insane, since the latter two have both recorded an average of points, rebounds and assists higher than that of the Cleveland player. But now, Donovan Mitchell has tasted the playoffs, which is not the case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.
When asked about the importance of this criterion, “Spida” admits that he does not really understand the factors taken into account by the voters.
” I don’t know. I thought it was important, but it clearly isn’t.” retorted Donovan Mitchellon the importance of qualifying for the playoffs. “But like I said, I think I should have been there. Who to get out of this team? I don’t really care who comes out, but in my head I’m All-NBA First Team. But, that was not the case. The All-NBA, All-Star, MVP and all these selections, I have the impression that the criteria are modified every year. So I don’t know what the criteria are. I’m not going to sit here and cry about it, or sulk. I had my moment where I said what I had to say, now I have to go out there and prove it”.
