Utah Jazz: 3 takeaways after first week of 2018-19 season

3. Donovan Mitchell is struggling

Donovan Mitchell was one of the most exciting young players in the league last season. After the first week of 2818-19, it appears Mitchell could be in the midst of a sophomore slump. Without a doubt, he has struggled through the first week of the year.

While Mitchell’s averages still look good, he’s down in every statistical category when compared to 2017-18. He was inconsistent with his 3-point shot last season, but shot a respectable 43.3 percent from the field. Thus far, he’s failed to find a rhythm and is shooting 40.7 percent from the field. Until the game against Houston on Oct. 24, he had eclipsed 20 points only once. He had one of the worst games of his career against the Memphis Grizzlies, going 6-for-17 from the field and 1-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Mitchell is starting to show signs of frustration. Last season, he was only assessed two technical fouls, both of which came after being taunted or shoved by an opponent. His first technical of this season wasn’t because of frustration with an opponent, but rather him being frustrated with his performance. After turning the ball over, he said something to referee Natalie Sago that caused her to ‘T’ him up.

Mitchell is too talented of a player to struggle like this all season. However, part of his problem leads to the next point.