Donovan Mitchell: The rising star of the Utah Jazz

When Gordon Hayward left Utah I was very disappointed with him leaving. Supposedly, he told the Jazz to bring in Ricky Rubio and that he would probably stay. The Jazz organization brought in Rubio and still Hayward chose to leave Utah to go play for the Boston Celtics.

This happened to be more of a blessing in disguise (just at the time it wasn't). The Jazz were able to acquire the rights to Donovan Mitchell from Denver in the NBA Draft last year. That proved to be a brilliant move by the Jazz organization. I'm sure the Jazz had high expectations of Mitchell but I don't think anybody predicted the kind of year he is having right now.

Mitchell has made quite a big impression in the NBA world. Russell Westbrook, a player who rarely talks to opposing players even congratulated Mitchell after a fantastic game he had against them. Lebron James even said that 'he has a lot of game'. Mitchell grew up idolizing James and so to be able to play as good as he did and to get the big W over him must have been special. He had 29 points, six points, four rebounds, and three steals against James.

I think I can say for all Jazz fans that it's been a treat to watch and see Mitchell play. This is definitely what the Jazz needed after Hayward left in the off season. He's proven that he can compete with anybody in the League. He can pass, play defense, rebound, steal, and can make clutch plays down the stretch to get wins.

I am hoping that Mitchell can be like a John Stockton and play his entire career for the Jazz. I'm not holding my breath there though. There's not as many athletes that can say that they played their entire careers for one team.  Regardless of that outcome,  it will be a fun ride to see him play for the next few seasons.