Donovan Mitchell talked about how he wants Kenny Atkinson to perform at a different level for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Much of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ hopes of competing for an NBA championship hinge on Donovan Mitchell’s performance next season.
There is some concern about the combination of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and whether they can have success together.
Even former NBA star Vernon Maxwell urged the Cavaliers to end the pairing and put their trust solely in Mitchell.
But now Kenny Atkinson wants Mitchell to do something he’s never done before and has issued him a challenge ahead of the season.
Donovan Mitchell spoke on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio show about preparing for the new NBA season and what the Cleveland Cavaliers want from him.
Mitchell admitted that he was told by Kenny Atkinson to improve his own game while also trying to help the rest of the team improve their games.
“Everyone wants to sacrifice until your turn comes. Everyone wants to sacrifice until your turn comes. Why don’t you look in the mirror?
“And I think Kenny was like, ‘Hey, you’re here. We’ve got the mix, we’ve got the players here as well, and that gave me strength.’
“Obviously, it doesn’t mean you’re going to score more with the ball in your hands, but it’s about pushing your players to that level and empowering them.
“Obviously, it doesn’t mean you’re going to score more with the ball in your hands, but it’s about pushing your players to that level and empowering them.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How can I make others better?” That was the next jump for me and he was really challenging me on that. ”
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best roster in the Eastern Conference on paper. However, there is an asterisk next to that roster.
The Cavaliers were the best team in the East last season, but once again they failed to make it past the second round, losing to the Indiana Pacers.
It’s hard to have faith in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Because they haven’t proven they can do things at the highest level.
And until those rumors are dispelled, the Cavaliers will continue to be viewed as the second-best team behind the New York Knicks.