This is the NBA Playoffs and over the years that time of the season has become synonymous with names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, Dwayne Wade and Steph Curry.
Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell might be the next member of that exclusive fraternity as he’s almost convinced me during these playoffs to use the word “Superstar.”
I personally feel like the word gets thrown around too freely like a dollar bill at King of Diamonds, but following another masterful showing against the LA Clippers in a Game 3 loss — I may be forced to give it some consideration.
With his 37-point performance — which in turn helped the Jazz take a 2-0 series lead heading to LA — he joined some elite company in NBA history.
After pouring in 27 of that game-high before halftime, he’s now scored at least 25 points in the first half of a playoff game eight times.
He also did it in Game 1, and that ties him with Allen Iverson for fourth all-time accomplishing this feat.
Only LBJ (20), Kobe (17), and KD (10) have done it more, but they’ve also played many, many more playoff games than Mitchell who’s now played in just (29) such games.
He also has the sixth-highest scoring output in playoff history with a minimum of (25) games played, behind Michael Jordan and the aforementioned Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and the logo Jerry West.
Donovan Mitchell’s performance has been so good it even had ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith spewing blasphemy.
Smith said Mitchell was already the best player in franchise history, but I guess he forgot about Karl Malone — and one could make the case for Adrian Dantley, John Stockton and even Darrell “Dr Dunkenstein” Griffith.
Smith then proceeded to backtrack and say he’s at least the most dynamic. But to say Mitchell is already the best player ever for that franchise is very outlandish.
If not for Michael Jordan, The Mailman would probably have two championship rings.
In the Game 3 loss, Mitchell continued his scoring tear (30 points), before exiting with a bum ankle. He says he’ll be ready to go for a pivotal Game 4.
Having Kawhi Leonard guard him more was a big chess move by the Clippers.
But let me say this, no matter how you rate “Spida Mitchell,” one thing for sure and two things for certain is that the Clippers had better come up with a strategy to contain this young fella or LA will be gon’ fishin’.
His playoff run and overall playoff career thus far just further solidifies him being on the right trajectory to greatness.
