During the Cavaliers media day, Donovan Mitchell said he can be a better defender than he was perceived by fans during his time in Utah.
Mitchell will have more help on the offensive end in Cleveland and he will be able to focus on both ends of the floor.
“It’s not the ability,” he said on Tuesday, via Serena Winters. “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.”
“I haven’t shown that, and that’s what I’m looking forward to do here. Top 5 defense, I’m not here to bring that down.”
The Cavs have a solid squad, that led them to the play-in tournament last season. With Mitchell in the mix, Cleveland could be among the best teams in the East.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to start a new season with their brand-new star Donovan Mitchell, who was traded by the Utah Jazz at the start of the month.
Mitchell said being a better defender this year is a combination of focus, attention to detail & conditioning, as well as not having as big of an offensive workload.
'Putting forth that effort on both ends', Mitchell says, is 'ultimately one of my goals here.' #Cavs https://t.co/OX8CyQn5a6
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 28, 2022