Donovan Mitchell had a hard run through the NBA Playoffs. Despite being eliminated in the first round, Mitchell had some historic scoring nights. However, his Utah Jazz blew a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the first round. They were sent home despite a very strong showing against the Nuggets, who were anyway favorites for the series.
Mitchell blossomed into a superstar in the Bubble. He showed he has the talent to carry a franchise, and he also inked an extension with the Jazz after leaving the Bubble. Professionally, everything is going well for Mitchell. However, it is happening under a dark personal cloud.
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Donovan Mitchell posted a picture of him at his grandmother’s bedside after she had passed on. He mentioned that the last game she saw him play was his 47-point performance against the Nuggets in game one. The Jazz lost that game in OT, but won the next three.
Donovan Mitchell and his future
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz (C) accepts the trophy for the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Mitchell is proving that he might be a generational talent in the league. Despite being under-sized, the former slam dunk champion has heaps of athleticism, which allows him to finish at the rim. His defense has been criticized, but he showed noticeable improvement on that side of the ball through the season and in the Bubble.
Losing someone this close will have a personal effect on Donovan. We just saw this with Montrezl Harrell, who dedicated his Sixth Man of the Year Trophy to his grandmother, who passed away earlier in the Bubble. If we appreciate these players, we must also appreciate the men and women that raise them into the talents they are.
