Keep your eye on Davion Mitchell...
De’Aaron Fox says Kings rookie Davion Mitchell already one of NBA’s best on-ball defendersKings point guard De’Aaron Fox had high praise for rookie teammate Davion Mitchell after watching him do his thing on defense in a 113-98 preseason win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at Staples Center. Fox said Mitchell is already one of the top five on-ball defenders in the NBA. He ranked Mitchell among the likes of Marcus Smart, Patrick Beverley and Jrue Holiday, all of whom have been NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. “When he’s locked in on the ball, it’s crazy to watch,” Fox said. “The way he’s able to stop and go, it hurts my legs watching, but he’s a great on-ball defender. He’s top five, I’d say, for on-ball defenders in the league right now. When you watch him, it’s just amazing. He does stuff on the ball that you can’t teach and that’s what’s making him great.”
...Mitchell had 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot. The Kings held the Clippers to 38% shooting. They forced 19 turnovers, came up with eight steals and blocked six shots. Mitchell stole a pass from Paul George 49 seconds after entering the game, took a charge from Eric Bledsoe and then found himself one-on-one with George in the final seconds of the first quarter. George, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, had a significant size advantage over Mitchell, a 6-2, 205-pound guard, but Mitchell didn’t back down against the seven-time All-Star.
Mitchell, who came out of Baylor as the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, picked up George at halfcourt and refused to give an inch. George dribbled behind his back, between his legs and behind his back again before driving to the basket, but Mitchell stayed with him stride for stride. Mitchell cut off George’s path, forcing him into a highly contested turnaround, fadeaway jumper that missed badly off the top of the backboard.
