Utah Jazz: Why isn’t Donovan Mitchell getting more MVP love?
Why isn’t Donovan Mitchell getting more love as an NBA MVP candidate?
For being the best player on the best team, record-wise, in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell has not gotten much consideration for the NBA’s MVP award. Generally, the best player on the best team is usually one of the favorites to win the award.
This isn’t new, however. For the Utah Jazz and Mitchell, this has been the case all season long.
And it’s pretty clear and evident what’s going on or what’s at play. On one hand, not many are buying the Jazz as the legitimate best team in the league. And that can’t help but rub off on Donovan Mitchell as he continues to grow into a superstar.
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A second factor at play has to be Mitchell as a standalone star. Even though he’s had a great start to his career, he isn’t exactly a household name in today’s game. He’s a rising star, but not a name that jumps off the stat sheet or one that is easily recognizable for the average fan.
That lack of notoriety has hurt both the Jazz and Mitchell this season. Both in public perception and, to a certain extent, to the perception in and around the league.
All that said, that doesn’t mean what’s happening around the Jazz and Mitchell is OK. In fact, it’s flat-out wrong. These are certainly possible explanations but are not viable excuses.
The Jazz should be viewed, with the way they’ve played this season, as the best team in the league. At the same rate, because of their success as a team, Donovan Mitchell should be at least getting some consideration for the NBA’s MVP award.
As an example, NBA.com released its latest edition of their MVP Ladder. Mitchell isn’t even in the top 10 of their candidates and is simply given a footnote in the article. And this seems to be the biggest problem.
Mitchell, in his fourth season, is on pace to finish with the best statistical season of his career thus far. Utah’s lead man is averaging 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists on 44 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.
He’s the Jazz’s best player in what will likely end up being their best win-loss season since their 1999-2000 season – the latter portion of the Jerry Sloan-John Stockton/Karl Malone years in Utah.
Should the Jazz carry their regular-season success into the playoffs, there will be many casuals that will be surprised by a deep playoff run from Utah. Although, those that have been paying closer attention to the Jazz, won’t be.
Next. Miami Heat’s future plans could revolve around Kawhi Leonard’s free agency. dark
The Utah Jazz has been the best team in the NBA for the majority of the season and Donovan Mitchell should be a legitimate NBA MVP candidate.