Donovan Mitchell is in his fourth year in the NBA and has been great since day one.
The Utah Jazz stole Mitchell in the draft when they selected him with the No. 13 overall pick back in 2017.
If not for Ben Simmons winning Rookie of the Year, Mitchell would have easily won the award.
However, some people out there believe Mitchell is overrated.
Some say he is not as good as it may seem.
Well, that notion is just wrong.
Mitchell is one of the bright young stars in this league.
He is only 24 years old and is clearly still getting better.
Here are three reasons why Mitchell is not overrated.
3. Stats And Trajectory
When you look at the numbers for Mitchell, they pop out.
For each season of his career, his scoring average has increased.
This season alone, he averaged 26.4 points per game (career high), 5.2 assists per game (career high), and 39 percen from three (career high).
Mitchell had a career year and might even crack an All-NBA team this year.
The trajectory he is on is at an elite pace.
His rise is close to the player that he is compared to the most, which is Dwyane Wade.
Ironically, Wade is now a part-owner of the Jazz due to his love for Mitchell.
There was even a beautiful moment of Wade trying to coach him during the game.
D-Wade talking with Donovan Mitchell from the sidelines during Game 1 🤝 pic.twitter.com/VaaxX35sF7
— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2021
Mitchell plays like Wade with more of a focus on three-point shooting.
However, the increases in points and success at a young age is very similar to Wade.
Hopefully, Mitchell can fully cement that comparison with a title this year.
2. Leadership And Impact
As soon as Mitchell stepped on the court for the Jazz, he was their leader.
That has not changed one bit.
He has proven that he can be the man of a team and take on that responsibility.
Mitchell has led this team to the playoffs for four straight seasons and is now the number one seed in the Western Conference.
Game 1 of their first-round series versus the Memphis Grizzlies ended up being a loss for the Jazz.
Well, Mitchell did not play that game.
He returned for the rest of the series and they won four straight games.
That shows that his impact is crucial to the team.
Game 1 in their second-round matchup was looking like another loss for the Jazz.
That was until Mitchell put the team on his back and scored 32 points in the second half for the win.
Donovan Mitchell put the team on his back in Game 1 😤
🎷 45 Pts
🎷 5 Ast
🎷 32 Pts in 2nd half pic.twitter.com/EH4npCtlOb— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 9, 2021
He has proven that he is the man to be the face of this franchise.
1. Playoff Performances
The playoffs are where Mitchell has shined thus far in his career.
Mitchell already has four 40-point games, which is a lot in the larger lens of NBA history.
Donovan Mitchell has his 4th 40-point playoff game, tying Karl Malone for the most in Jazz franchise history.
Malone played 193 playoff games. Spida has only played 27. pic.twitter.com/MJrqFcCgbR
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 9, 2021
He averaged 36 points per game last postseason and is averaging 31 points per game this postseason.
Even in his rookie year, he was able to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, while they had Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
When the lights are brightest, Mitchell is not afraid and shows up every time.
Some players can put up big numbers until that playoff pressure looms large.
However, Mitchell increases his numbers and play when the pressure is mounting.
This year might have even more great playoff performances.
He has for sure proved to the world that he is a star of this league.
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