Donovan Mitchell Joins the Broadcast

Donovan Mitchell Joins the Broadcast

Another guest joining us here at the table and a big congratulations to begin the interview with Donovan Mitchell who decides to get engaged out here in Las Vegas. Congratulations. I appreciate it. Wasn’t it wasn’t in Vegas. We were on vacation. We were on vacation a few days ago, but thank you. Thank you. Um Yeah, man. Like a big burden off your chest to get that finally do it. Are you like the rest of us nervous as as heck when you do it? Yeah. I mean, um, it’s hard to keep secrets from her. She I’m I’m not really, you know, I don’t really what’s it called? You know, I’m on I wear it on my face. Yeah. Uh, so for this one to keep it for as long as I did. Everybody in her family knew. Everybody in my family knew. So there were nights where I was up not falling asleep. She’s like, “What’s wrong?” I’m just like, I got a lot of stuff on my mind. Oh, smoochy smoochy. A look at that. It was great. It was dope. It worked out well. Shout out to everybody. Shout out to Russell Wilson and Sierra for helping out. Whoa. Name dropping time. Yeah, I got friends, too. Yeah, you know. Yeah. Yeah. Every big time. That looks like that might hurt her hand. She going to need a sling. I know. It’s quite possibly like a little something. I love you got to work out her arm to be able to carry that thing around. Exactly. I told her, “Don’t wear it on stage, though.” So, that’s got to get you a fake one. You put that one in the safe and let her wear a fake. Well, congratulations. Uh, that’s big. It’s been a big year for you. First team AllNBA. Uh, I know the season didn’t end how you would like it, but there’s a steal, by the way, by Noel. and Brown tries to get back to contend. Oh, it’s a tough layup. Remember him, Marquez Noel? Yeah, that’s right. Know about that. We’ll talk about the Mets here in a second. Um, how how do you is can they can you chalk up this year to being a step in the process or what hours how you digest what happened this year? What do you what are you saying? I mean, I talked about the other day with with Taylor and I it’s to me, you know, it’s it’s always when you’re when you’re in hindsight, it’s always like, okay, yeah, we’ve taken a step. It’s a you need this to take to the next level. But to be honest with you, and I think we all feel this way, this was a let down for for for us, man. Like we we let ourselves down, let the city down, let the organization down. This was, you know, we all felt it. We all felt like we were supposed to continue to, you know, we felt like we we paid our way last year. Okay, cool. We we beat Orlando. We took that step and whatever. And now this year, we 64 wins. Everything lined up for us to to do that. And we didn’t take care of business. So that’s that’s the failure on our part. Now the biggest thing is you know understand that now take it accept it and use it as fuel. As much as you guys make it about yourself and not happy with that. Is there another component to it that Boston didn’t make it, New York didn’t make it. Like as you mentioned there was a path for you guys to get to the NBA finals this year. Yeah. And I think you know you got to give credit where credit is due. Indiana they had a hell of a hell of a run and they they were they were phenomenal. Um relentless and but I think for us you know you don’t really look at other teams and be like oh okay they lost too. So, I think that’s I think it’s more so like we should have been the ones like you know what I mean? We should be the ones in that position and you know I think that’s what’s tough and it’s tough to watch those games. I had to try to force myself and I I’m probably watch maybe up until the finals maybe about a quarter of basketball. Um I couldn’t even couldn’t even I’m also half my you know family and friends are Knicks fans so I hear the updates from them uh for the the round after that and then you know um so it’s just one of those things where and then the finals have you hear you hear it non-stop and it just became to a point where I’m like you know what I don’t want to you know watch it as much but it’s it was a let down man it sucks but you know we use it as fuel and we we’re ready for next year. your development since you’ve been in Cleveland has been, I think, very underrated of of how you’ve turned into not just a like, hey, I let put the offense on my back guy, but the development of Darius Garland, of Evan Mobley, of basically everyone that’s been there. Is that something that you had a discussion with uh with Kenny or or obviously JB when they was there? Or is that just something you’ve seen and said, “Hey, like as your maturity, this is what I know we need to do to win or what I need to do to help this team win.” Um, it’s definitely it was definitely a conversation. I think it was something that, you know, like I you always talk about, everybody’s willing to sacrifice until it’s their turn, you know, and what does that look like? You know, what does that look like for me? And, you know, understanding that the minutes were going to be down. Um, points, all the things that I’ve been accustomed to in my career are going to be down in order to use that to develop. And that’s really my mindset was, you know, understanding that look, allow Evan to grow. Evan Moy, like crazy. I tell you all the time what he’s what he’s doing now is phenomenal. And I’m not taking credit for that. And obviously, yeah, leadership and empowerment, which is huge. But, you know, he puts the time in. You know, it’s one thing to leave, but also to, you know, see somebody want it as bad as he does, which is truly at his age and what he’s accomplished. Um, and then also Darius Scarlet, he was an allstar before I got here. Um, so he’s just stepping back into form and, you know, for for for those two guys just allowing them to continue to take those steps. Um, cuz at the end of the day, I know what I’m going to who I know has for the group for the Tai Drs of Alashia Max um whoever DeAndre Hunter Jared Allen like continue to allow those guys to flourish uh makes us so so difficult to beat. Is it crazy that you did that and then first team all still like it’s like oh I get to do this and then now our team is better and I’m still at where I’m at respectwise within the league. It shows your talent and your skill set. But yeah, keep going. JG got a great question. I don’t maybe you in that conversation with Taylor, you talked about Evan Moley being more vocal and demanding the ball from you and Darius. Yeah. I I’m curious. There was a big push out of Cleveland that you should have been in the MVP conversation this year despite your numbers taking a step back because what you did for the greater good. Do you believe that in order for your team to get where you want to go, does Evan Mobley need to be in the MVP conversation? 100% 1,00%. And I think, you know, I think two things can be true. You know, I think understanding that the MVP conversation, I think when we talk about the MVP, we think of 30, 10 and 10 like Jokic. We think of Shay Gil like averaging 30. You know, there’s so many different ways. And um I mean, if Evelyn turns around and is a 40 30 point per game score, I’m not complaining whatsoever. But I think what he does for our group, just that alone outside of what I think we look at, we look at stats too much. Look what he’s look what his plus minus. Look what our record was when he wasn’t out there on the floor. like he’s just so important to our group that alone gets him into the MVP competition. But I also feel the step that he’s going to take um you know for us to continue at that level. He has to be at least somewhat in that in that conversation. Great defensive play by Jaylen Tyson. We’re going to get time out. Do you want to stick around and talk more with us? All right. Donovan Mitchell is going to talk with us as the Cavaliers try to avoid giving up another double-digit lead. They’re up now 77 to 65. We’ll come back with Spite. We welcome you back to the NBA 2K26 summer league. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 64 games. Best team of the regular season in the Eastern Conference. They scored at the highest clip of any team in the NBA. And their efficiency was absolutely off the charts. They’re pretty good darn pretty darn good defensively as well. The man at the head of the snake for this squad, Donovan Mitchell, first team allNBA and newly engaged Donovan Mitchell continues to be with us here with Channing Pride. Dennis Scott, I’m Jared Greenberg. The backcourt situation is front of mind for so many Donovan. Uh you got Darius with the toe surgery. We saw him try and grit through it in the playoffs and that was just at times difficult to watch because of the amount of pain he was in. So he gets the surgery, he’s going to be shut down for a while. You lose Tai Jerome. So now naturally it feels like the ball’s going to be in your hand even more than it was. How does that change your approach going into next season? Um understand, you know, kind of taking the blueprint from last year. So understanding that, you know, with me having the ball becomes, you know, controlling the pace, controlling the game. I think that’s the biggest thing, you know, and not necessarily when people think of point guard, I’m not dominating the basketball. I’m not going to come out hold the ball and like run the like, no, we’re we’re getting the ball before. And I think having Lonzo definitely will help uh what I’m talking about. Smith with the dunk. You’re going to love playing with Lonzo. Yeah, everybody I I’ve watched Lonzo I mean Lonzo on the same draft class like you know having that like taking a lot from him and honestly there’s a lot I can learn from him as a as a being able to push the pace and also another thing too is hey Ev let’s go the ball off the floor but just understanding inspire committee and understanding I just do what I do but understanding that there’s more to it just pounding the rock and kind of controlling the game controlling the pace and getting everybody involved there are three guys out here as Noel hoist knocks down the three and uh-oh Timeout. Cleveland. 100 run by Milwaukee. We’re going to take this break as the Cavs starting to look a little like deja vu all over again from the other night. They were up by as many as 19. We’ll come back more D. Mitchell and a seven-point game. Final moments here with Donovan Mitchell. Let’s just get your quick thoughts on some of these guys here on this roster. Craig Porter Junior’s out with a hamstring today. Jaylen Jaylen Tyson and that’s Dayquin Tomlin continues to shine. What do you think of those three guys? I love I first of all I love Quan, man. He his story. Do you know his do you know his story? Did not play high school, man. Didn’t play high school ball. Like to see that and he’s not like he’s barely what three three years of basketball, four years maybe. Five. Five years. Like that’s it’s incredible. He hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he can do. Um really love his work ethic. Jaylen Tyson um a complete dog. Phenomenal. And he’s got a lot to learn as well. He’s going to be a big part for us this year. And then obviously come on um Craig and Craig came in I knew Craig was ready to play at this level. He came in his first start back down Nick Batum in transition shot a mini fade knocked it down. I was like there’s unwavering confidence in Craig Porter. U and then Tyres Fox. I’m excited man. I’ve seen him play in college a little bit. Um although he went to Duke which is very unfortunate for him. Uh but you know I’m excited for these guys. They’re going to be a big part of what we got going this year. Mets World Series every year. This is This is the year. I’ve been saying that for I’ve been saying that for what 20 I said Quanton Tomlin He does not stop. He does not stop. That’s for a guy who’s only played 5 years in basketball. His nose for the ball is absolutely not. He’s and he doesn’t get tired. Like he like the fact that he does all this, continues to run, continues to work, he doesn’t stop. I got a lot of respect for for Quan and he’s from Harlem. Um, that’s my guy, man. I’m really, really happy to see him succeed. But for my Mets, um, you know, he went a little rough. Shading well into the break. Knock it down. But, um, we’ll win the World Series this year. Most definitely. Here’s blocked by Tom. A foul. I’m trying to tell you, he’s everywhere. I I don’t get it. I don’t get it. Salute to him. Here’s the replay of Tomlin. Do you’re great analyst. Break down what you just saw here from Tomlin. Just like miss blockout by Pete Nance. I love Pete. Sorry, Pete. I didn’t mean to do that to you on air, but like he’s everywhere. Swipe down. Go get it high. I don’t think that’s a foul. Probably should have challenged that. Omar Cook. Stand up and yell at Omar. Say another New York guy. Another New York legend, man. If y’all don’t know who’s coaching our seven league team, a New York legend of Omar Cook right there. If the cameras can definitely get a closeup of my guy, please. That’d be that’d be great. Call out Cory Davis is our director. Tell Cory what you want. Cory, please. We can get a a closeup of my man Omar Cook over here leading the summer league charge right here, man. He’s a um New York legend. like one of the greatest basketball let alone let alone New York but like basketball in New York he’s you know one of the greatest and it’s a pleasure to have him here man look at the Ram right there too I Tyson big shot boy and shout out to him too he changed his release worked on it all season it’s much quicker now um and he’s ready we tal I talked a little bit all summer he’s he’s going to be you know a big piece for us but for him the biggest thing is improving that three-point shot and a shot like that is big Well, Donovan, we’ve kept you entirely too long. We appreciate your time here. Thanks for breaking down the game. Thanks for always being so kind and courteous throughout the season. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you coming in. And congratulations again. Thank you. Good luck wedding planning. It’s really the most fun thing you’ll do your entire life. She’s already started, so you know, I’m just here, you know, locking in. Yes. And stay out of the way.

Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell joined the NBATV broadcast during the Cavs second Summer League game to discuss developing in Cleveland and the impact he’s looking forward to from the young talent on our team.