Donovan Mitchell: I can play defense, I haven’t shown that but that’s what I’m looking forward to

Serena Winters: Donovan Mitchell looking forward to changing the perception of his defense this season: “It’s not the ability, I can play defense, I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that & that’s what I’m looking forward to do here. Top 5 …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
Donovan Mitchell looking forward to changing the perception of his defense this season: “It’s not the ability, I can play defense, I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that & that’s what I’m looking forward to do here. Top 5 defense, I’m not here to bring that down.” #Cavs pic.twitter.com/1AswJkSWeD12:12 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs have the makings of perhaps the league’s best starting five. Darius Garland. Donovan Mitchell. Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen. And …
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/09/c…11:12 AM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
ICYMI
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell is ready to showcase his defensive skill set
“It’s not the ability. I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here.”
theathletic.com/3634665/2022/0…9:44 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
ICYMI: ‘Championship is the goal’: #Cavaliers‘ Donovan Mitchell watches budding stars, dreams big beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal9:00 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
‘Championship is the goal’: #Cavaliers‘ Donovan Mitchell watches budding stars, dreams big beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal5:31 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs held their first day of training camp today. As camp begins, check out these position primers (a thread):
PG: Assessing Darius Garland and other point guards theathletic.com/3558707/2022/0…
SG: How Donovan Mitchell elevates the Cavs at shooting guard theathletic.com/3600556/2022/0…2:14 PM
Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
First practice of #Cavs 2022-23 training camp in the books!
Being in the gym, you could feel the energy, anticipation & excitement.
What stood out for newbie Donovan Mitchell?
“The intensity…JB set the tone early.” #LetEmKnow1:01 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
At one point yesterday, as #Cavs Donovan Mitchell was posing for photos, he was directed to look meaner. Instead, Mitchell smiled and said, “That is not me.” For him and the Cavs it’s been all smiles since news of his trade. It carried over to media day
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/09/c…9:49 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
ICYMI: Running around a gym screaming: #Cavaliers say Donovan Mitchell takes them to next level beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal9:25 AM
Donovan Mitchell @spidadmitchell
Year 6‼️ LETS GOO‼️‼️‼️ #LetEmKnow 🕷 – 8:24 AM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs are listing Donovan Mitchell as 6-foot-3 on their official roster. I have my doubts on that after seeing him side-by-side with the 6-foot-5 Issac Okoro and also the 6-foot-1 Darius Garland. But Mitchell’s long wingspan and compact frame can help mitigate that size worry. – 12:30 AM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
With Donovan Mitchell, #Cavs have a new reality. They are no longer flying under the radar. They are the hunted. And they say they’re ready for it
“I think we have the makings of a team that could have four All-Stars. People know what we’re capable of”
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/09/c…9:52 PM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
Running around a gym screaming: #Cavaliers say Donovan Mitchell takes them to next level beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal6:36 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell modeling his new shoes. “These ones go on sale first” pic.twitter.com/2VFzM77LDf6:06 PM

Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Eric Paschall shares that this summer was tough for him as he went through the free agency process. Said there were difficult times he thought about just giving up basketball altogether. Many friends like Donovan Mitchell kept encouraging him to stick with it. – 4:40 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Eric Paschall says he thought about giving up basketball this summer before signing a 2-way with Wolves. Says Donovan Mitchell was constantly in his ear encouraging him to stay with it – 4:38 PM
Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade @PDcavsinsider
Donovan Mitchell asked a Cavs Jr. Reporter: “Could you beat me?”
His answer: “I probably can.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/bAXvkS3iuY2:54 PM

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade @PDcavsinsider
Robin Lopez feels the same as the kids when looking at Donovan Mitchell! 😂 pic.twitter.com/2qW0j0IsKZ2:46 PM

Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
Donovan Mitchell at #Cavs media day pic.twitter.com/ume6QNYEaG2:37 PM

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade @PDcavsinsider
Donovan Mitchell made a new handshake with his Cavs Junior Reporter friends. pic.twitter.com/k5zaEMzAZA2:37 PM

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade @PDcavsinsider
Donovan Mitchell made a new handshake with his Cavs Junior Reporter friends. #Cavs pic.twitter.com/CxRqKKk0aJ2:35 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Evan Mobley said he was in a gym working out when the team acquired Donovan Mitchell. He said someone in the gym who saw the news shouted it out and let him know about it. Mobley’s response to the news: “Oh shoot!” He was obviously excited. – 1:41 PM
Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade @PDcavsinsider
Kevin Love is very excited about Donovan Mitchell and think he fits perfectly in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/X0AeyEAOiW1:09 PM

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
I sat down with Donovan Mitchell as he prepares for his new chapter in Cleveland 🕷
#Cavs #LetEmKnow
Full interview: https://t.co/GitXCm3Xa9 pic.twitter.com/SaYu2r5EhJ4:24 PM

More on this storyline

Mitchell was also rated a bottom-20 defender in the NBA by FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR. He had a defensive RAPTOR of -2.7, which means the Jazz’ defensive performance fell by 2.7 points per 100 possessions while Mitchell was on the court. “It’s not the ability,” Mitchell said on Tuesday. “I can play defense. I know that for a fact. I haven’t shown that and that is what I’m looking forward to doing here.” -via The Athletic / September 28, 2022
Dave McMenamin: I’ve been told that had the Lakers been able to acquire, Kyrie Irving, or the Lakers been able to acquire Donovan Mitchell, either of those players, the Lakers were willing and able to move both those [first-round] picks to do it. -via Apple Podcasts / September 27, 2022