After Darius Garland was injured in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season opener and a loss to the Toronto Raptors, it would have been a wise theory that the Cavaliers may struggle a little early in the season. Now with the Cavaliers having played six games they have won five in a row and are third in the latest power ranking from ESPN.
Basketball is a team sport and these young Cavaliers play for each other every night but one man’s contributions have been above and beyond what we could have imagined.
Donovan Mitchell was sent to Cleveland during the offseason for Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton. Mitchell is currently averaging over 30 points per game and is getting a highlight reel dunk in almost every game. Cleveland has accepted Mitchell and it seems the feeling is mutual as Donovan has been all smiles since he got to The Land.
Mitchell For MVP?
It has gone as far as Mitchell hearing MVP chants when he is shooting foul shots in Cleveland. This raises the question. Should Donovan Mitchell be in the early MVP talks? Absolutely he should.
Mitchell has taken a Cavaliers team that last season was completely lost without Darius Garland on the court to being a top team in the Eastern Conference with a five-game winning streak. Don’t just take our word for it as there are many others who believe Mitchell needs to be getting more praise from the NBA and the other fans.
“In the five games since Cleveland blew a late lead in Toronto, though, the Cavs have been just fine. Better than fine, actually. They’ve reeled off five straight to open the campaign 5-1 without Garland as Mitchell has picked up the slack with MVP-caliber averages: 32.2 points and 7.3 assists on 49.6% shooting overall and 45.5% from three while playing a league-leading 39 minutes per night.” said by Sports Illustrated.com.
Big Season For The Cavaliers?
With This early season success without one of their best players and all-stars Darius Garland, the Cleveland Cavaliers are making noise and it is being heard around the NBA. Many analysts and head coaches have praised this young team and its winning mentality. It is shaping up to be a big season for Cavalier fans and it is only just getting started.
Can the Cavaliers keep this intensity alive all season? Or will they slow down? Only time will tell as the Cavaliers look to take another win from The Boston Celtics on National TV Wednesday night in The Land.
Image Credits: Flickr.com.