Utah Jazz: 3 reasons the season is over
1. Donovan Mitchell is only a rookie
This statement might be getting redundant, but Donovan Mitchell was only in his rookie year and he had the assignment of guarding possibly the MVP of the league this year in James Harden.
Mitchell averaged 20.5 points per game, good for 21st in the league. The next closest rookie was the Los Angels Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, who averaged 16.1 points per game (good for 45th).
In the playoffs, Mitchell averaged 24.4 points per game. Right now that’s good for 11th among all playoff scorers.
Mitchell will have more years to get experience and eventually it will be him talking to another younger player’s in their ear after he’s just beat them in a series.
Right now the Jazz faithful will have to be patient with this beam of light that they have in Mitchell. The youngster is on record saying that he will re-watch all 97 games from his rookie year. He is focused and determined to come out next year and go deeper into the playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell said he plans to re-watch all 97 games from his rookie year before coming back in September for training camp. pic.twitter.com/ihtNKS7DJ7
— Salt Lake Tribune Sports (@sltribsports) May 9, 2018
Having a season like Magic Johnson did in 1980 where he was the Finals MVP as a rookie is out of the question for Mitchell now, but at least he he can build on the experience this year.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
Now what Mitchell will be waiting on is whether he will be named Rookie of the Year.