Donovan Mitchell Needs Help In Utah

Last season rookie sensation, Donovan Mitchell, became a household name to basketball fans across the world. In his rookie year, Mitchell managed to become a starter, over Rodney Hood, and help lead The Jazz to the playoffs. In the playoffs Mitchell was incredible, averaging 24.4 point per game, even leading The Jazz to 2nd round in the western conference playoffs. Donovan Mitchell lead the Jazz to an impressive 1st round win over the Thunder, who had Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony. Mitchell lead the Jazz in scoring 4 out of the 6 games, where game 6 Mitchell went on a mission scoring 38 points. Donovan was putting the league on notice for his impressive play.

Donovan placed 2nd in the rookie of the year, coming up short to Ben Simmons. Mitchell was the 13th pick in the 2017 draft. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets who immediately turned around and traded him for the 24th pick (Tyler Lydon) and Trey Lyles. Mitchell's breakout game his rookie year came December 1st, against the Pelicans, where he dropped 41 points. This is a huge accomplishment as he was the first rookie to drop 40 points in a game since Blake Griffin in 2011, and it was the most points put up by a Utah Jazz Rookie. Mitchell also passed Karl Malone as the most 20+ point in franchise history, and passed Damian Lillard for most 3 pointers by a rookie. In regular terms, Mitchell was a one of a kind rookie, the Jazz found themselves a superstar.

In his sophomore season, Mitchell's stats have gone down in almost every category. You can blame this on the famous sophomore slump that some players go through, but I would blame it on the talent they paired Mitchell with. Rudy Gobert is a very good defensive player, who a lot of people had in their talks for the preseason MVP predictions for 2018. The main problem I had with Rudy is that he isn't a player who you can give the ball and say make something happen for me. Rudy is a very excellent player who is great to have on your team. He should be your best defender, but for today's game scoring is very important. The Jazz need to give Mitchell more help offensively.

During the buyout period, where a lot of good players will be bought out, the Jazz should be in talks with the players. The 76ers last season brought in Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, who played huge roles in the playoffs for them. The Jazz need to do something like this to give Donovan More options to help make the offense easier for him.

Donovan Mitchell should be used in a more of a facilitator type role, currently he is averaging 3.4 assists per game, Quinn Snyder (Head Coach) should help with this. Quinn Snyder is an extremely good coach, who was one of the runner-ups for coach of the year last season, he should help expand Mitchell's game to become more an elite passer. If Mitchell can become a more elite passer it will make his game easier. When the defender has to worry about the pass as well as him scoring, it will make Mitchell virtually unguardable.

Mitchell is an extremely good young player, who everyone needs to pump the brakes on worrying. He will figure it out and if the Jazz can help him become a more complete player it will help make him more of an elite player. Mitchell's potential extremely high, The Jazz should do everything in their power to not waste it. They need to get him a better second option he can learn more from, instead of Gobert, who I believe can be your 3rd option on a championship team. Donovan Mitchell should ultimately try to adapt his game to become a Hardenesk type role, even if he can't become as elite as Harden it'll help his team become more successful in today's game.