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Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell’s response to Shaq perfectly encapsulates his career

By Justin Morris

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game Three of first round playoffs at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game Three of first round playoffs at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz Mandatory Credit: Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Donovan Mitchell’s Utah Jazz just win

According to Shaq, Mitchell is far from the aforementioned triple-pronged qualifying prerequisite that exemplifies the cream of the crop. O’Neal admitted that he can score no doubt, but falls short of totaling glory in some of the other junctures.

And there is some legitimacy to his inclinations that Donovan Mitchell should control more areas of the game.

Mitchell’s amassed double-digit rebounds and assists just twice in his career, which is far too few for a guard player who’s entering his fourth full season in the association, and his career numbers in both categories (5.0 AST, 4.1 REB), while competent, are not indicative of a ponderous impact on said aspects.

But where stats may diminish the calculative scope of his presence, the magnetism of his on-court occupancy beckons for recognition.

There is no measurement more important to the game of basketball than winning. And Donovan Mitchell’s done so with the Utah Jazz at a hasty pace, using criticism as a motivator.

Taken by Utah at No. 13 overall in 2017, Mitchell dashed expert predictions for his rookie season immediately upon arrival, taking over prime scoring duties from the recently departed Gordon Hayward, and guiding the Jazz to a Western Conference semifinals appearance as the alpha option on offense.

They haven’t missed the postseason since.

And the “Spida,” as he’s cleverly nicknamed for his nimble dexterity and acrobatic high-flying finishes, has been the centripetal force for that eminence.

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