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'Championship is the goal': Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell watches budding stars, dreams big

INDEPENDENCE — In a loud, intense first practice with the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell saw the talents of the potential young stars surrounding him.

Asked afterward to set the bar on the team’s goal, he shot for the moon.

“I definitely believe championship is the goal. Not just for myself, but for this team,” Mitchell said Tuesday. “We don’t play this game just to make the playoffs. That’s what is so special about this group. Even though we are young, we have championship aspirations, and it starts with days like today and it’s going to continue to build.

“I can’t sit here and say enough would be a conference final. Enough is a championship, playing into June. You do your best to go out there and find a way to do just that.”

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Reaching the playoffs all five years he spent in with the Jazz, the three-time All-Star guard never advanced past the Western Conference semifinals. Three times the Jazz were ousted in the first round.

Traded to the Cavs on Sept. 1, Mitchell could have taken the route of Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman. During media day Monday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Altman continued to emphasize “a runway” to success and that “this is not contention or bust at all,” a theme from what he said at Mitchell’s Sept. 14 introduction.

Mitchell, 26, is under contract for three seasons with a player option. He understands what he was brought in to help the Cavs achieve. He’s never been to the conference finals, so he could have aimed lower.

Instead, he’s focused on a title.

“I’ve fallen short of that goal for five years,” Mitchell said at Cleveland Clinic Courts. “It may happen this year or it may not. At the end of the day, I know and we know in this locker room that we’re going to put 100% best effort and that’s all you can do. All you can do is lay the groundwork and continue to build.

“On top of that, you’ve got to get lucky, too. Health is a big thing. Shots may fall one night and then not fall for a series. But understanding that if you continue to put your foundation in place and do your work, you can always hang your hat on that regardless of the result. If you see us grow continually, that’s what we can be happy about.”

Last season, the Cavs finished 44-38, the second-largest jump in wins in franchise history, but costly injuries down the stretch, including a fractured finger suffered by All-Star center Jarrett Allen, relegated them to the play-in tournament. They were eliminated with losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.

Mitchell heard from five-time All-Star forward Kevin Love, the Cavs’ last remaining player from their 2016 championship team, after news of the blockbuster trade with the Jazz broke. Mitchell was playing golf at Turnberry Isle Country Club outside Miami and received a text from Love, who shares the same trainer, Chris Brickley, in New York. Mitchell said in a bit of foreshadowing — "Exactly. That's how life works." — he had run into Love in the Big Apple a week or two before.

Five to 10 minutes after Love texted, they were on FaceTime.

Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell introduces his soccer style to members of the media on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell introduces his soccer style to members of the media on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

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“To have a guy like K-Love who has been to a championship, won a championship, and understanding I can be that piece that kind of takes us to the next level, it makes you feel good, feel wanted and appreciated,” Mitchell said of Love, who teamed with LeBron James to take the Cavs to four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-18. “It’s great to build that camaraderie early.

“We had that in Utah. We had a lot of guys that got along, and it helped a lot on the floor. Going out to eat every road trip or playing Xbox, whatever it may be. Kev’s probably not playing Xbox, but that is huge. It goes a long way and when we get on the floor, I think it’s seamless because you have that relationship early.”

Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said what stood out about Mitchell on his first day was his ability to fit in.

“There wasn't a question about it, but when you are a three-time All-Star at the level that he's at, some guys want to be outliers,” Bickerstaff said. “What we saw with Donovan is his want to be a part of the team and not separate himself.

“You're just watching him, I mean, it's right away,” Bickerstaff said, snapping his fingers. “He fits with this group, and hopefully that continues to get even better and helps the chemistry with the guys on the floor also.”

Mitchell found out quickly he might not have to carry the load when it comes to communication. He said even second-year center/forward Evan Mobley, ultra-quiet off the court, was loud, along with first-time All-Stars Darius Garland and Allen.

“Ev’s out there screaming and yelling … I’ve known Ev since he was in high school and I’ve probably heard him say five things before we got here,” Mitchell said. “Now he’s talking and communicating and getting to his spot. JA’s the same way. Darius is a helluva leader running around and talking and communicating. I don’t have to do much, but I will use my voice when needed.”

Cleveland Cavaliers Jarett Allen, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Kevin Love pose for a photo during media day on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Cleveland Cavaliers Jarett Allen, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Kevin Love pose for a photo during media day on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

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What will also be needed from Mitchell is improved defense if the Cavs are to maintain their position as the league’s fifth-ranked defensive team.

“I think a lot of it for me is focus and attention to detail,” Mitchell said. “A lot of it is I don’t have to do as much offensively. I’m able to lock in on those possessions and I’m not as tired. Also getting in better shape to be able to play both sides of the ball.

“It’s not the ability. I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here. It’s a top-five defense and I’m not here to bring that down to 6, 7, 8 or 9. We are here to go 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1. It starts with the little things — attention to detail, keeping my man in front, being there, making the extra effort to contest. That’s ultimately what my goal is here as one of the leaders on the team.”

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

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Mitchell said the funniest moment from his first practice involved associate head coach Greg Buckner’s instruction on a defensive set.

“Coach Buck, I’m supposed to say ‘Nail’ when I’m on the help with the nail,” Mitchell said. “He said, ‘What is it?’ I was playing live; I didn’t know what the hell I was saying. I was like, ‘Help. X. Something.’ I’m standing there, just trying to figure it out.

“That’s the biggest thing I tell the league, ‘If you don’t know what to say, just scream. Just say something, that way you’re used to talking. That way when you figure it out it comes naturally.'”

Willing to admit his goals for the Cavs and his personal shortcomings, Mitchell also clarified one tidbit he revealed when he learned on the golf course he’d been traded.

“I didn’t play well after that. I lied about that drive,” he said, previously stating he’d been in the middle of the fairway. “I don’t remember my round after that.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell sets sights on NBA championship