"I'm Excited": Donovan Mitchell On Year Two With Darius Garland
There were a lot of questions about whether Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell could coexist in the same backcourt after the Cleveland Cavaliers made the blockbuster trade for the Utah Jazz star before last year.
It worked out pretty well with the Cavs making it back to the postseason, but there's still work to be done. Mitchell reflected on this duo and how they'll continue to grow when sharing the floor in the upcoming season.
"I can sit here and tell you what I like to do on the basketball floor ... But over the course of time you have to kind of go through those [things] on a night-to-night basis, go through those in high-intensity situations ... having those conversations, because it's easy for me to tell you face-to-face without going through any adversity and also going through success as well."
Mitchell is expecting more from both himself and Garland as they enter Year 2 of this partnership considering they have much more time to practice and learn from each other.
"For myself to come in, what two weeks before camp started last year and lose a full camp, and then just go out there and win 50 games. That's not an easy feat to help win 50 games," Mitchell said. "So now it's like, 'Okay we know what we can do, we know we can continue to get better and make the most of our backcourt,' but also continuing to make the most with the group as well."
Apr 23, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guards Darius Garland (10) and Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrate after a timeout is called by the New York Knicks during game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
This duo was already solid together despite the lack of time given for preparation. Garland and Mitchell shared the floor for 59 games and together averaged 60.3 points a game with an offensive rating of 117.7.
But last year was last, and Mitchell has his focus set on the season ahead.
"When you go through a year of trials and tribulations, just going through it together, you're relationship on the floor continues to build — and I'm excited."
