Hot Take: CJ McCollum > D. Mitchell

[mdonnelly1989]

I think Mitchell took a step back this year compared to previous years.

And McCollum is now showing his true talent once he left Portland.

Give me CJ now over DM

[LukaTheGOAT]

Well I guess my question would be naturally, why do you think Mitchell took a step back this year? Thr last two years, Mitchell has had the worst defense of his career but he had also gotten better offensively...this past RS was inarguably his best offensive campaign I would argue.

[GSP]

Well I guess my question would be naturally, why do you think Mitchell took a step back this year? Thr last two years, Mitchell has had the worst defense of his career but he had also gotten better offensively...this past RS was inarguably his best offensive campaign I would argue.

Why do u think he was so much worse in playoffs this year compared to last 2 years?

[Gooner]

Not a hot take, McCollum is a more skilled player overall, and smarter. People are just too focused on who is "the man" on a team these days, therefore, they are gonna give more credit to a guy like Mitchell because McCollum was always viewed as Lillard' s sidekick. It's good to see McCollum in a different situation.

[mdonnelly1989]

Not a hot take, McCollum is a more skilled player overall, and smarter. People are just too focused on who is "the man" on a team these days, therefore, they are gonna give more credit to a guy like Mitchell because McCollum was always viewed as Lillard' s sidekick. It's good to see McCollum in a different situation.

Certainly agree, but as you can see by the Poll people think DM is better. I think he gets more publicity and thats it. And I think publicity tends to over rate players.

[falcolombardi]

mitchell co star being a defensive big people dont like has maybe got donovan a bit overcredited at times, has also benefitted from stellar spacing and strong passing around him

shai alexander has comparable numbers and better efficiency with much worse offensive help and spacing for example

[LukaTheGOAT]

Well I guess my question would be naturally, why do you think Mitchell took a step back this year? Thr last two years, Mitchell has had the worst defense of his career but he had also gotten better offensively...this past RS was inarguably his best offensive campaign I would argue.

Why do u think he was so much worse in playoffs this year compared to last 2 years?

Bad series shooting the 3

Worse decision-making

Worse on D

I don't necessarily think he was a worse player.

[eminence]

I don't mind young Davion, but I'm not sure why it's even a comparison at this point.

[LukaTheGOAT]

mitchell co star being a defensive big people dont like has maybe got donovan a bit overcredited at times, has also benefitted from stellar spacing and strong passing around him

shai alexander has comparable numbers and better efficiency with much worse offensive help and spacing for example

Donovan Mitchell this year

28.3 pts per 75 rTS% of 1%

Alexander

25.4 pts per 75 rTS% of -1.5%

[falcolombardi]

mitchell co star being a defensive big people dont like has maybe got donovan a bit overcredited at times, has also benefitted from stellar spacing and strong passing around him

shai alexander has comparable numbers and better efficiency with much worse offensive help and spacing for example

Donovan Mitchell this year

28.3 pts per 75 rTS% of 1%

Alexander

25.4 pts per 75 rTS% of -1.5%

so i will look into the numbers cause i actually remembered shai being more efficient, my mistake if i was wrong there and thanks for the correction

my point about mitchel much stronger spacing and offensive help remains tho

[LukaTheGOAT]

Not a hot take, McCollum is a more skilled player overall, and smarter. People are just too focused on who is "the man" on a team these days, therefore, they are gonna give more credit to a guy like Mitchell because McCollum was always viewed as Lillard' s sidekick. It's good to see McCollum in a different situation.

Certainly agree, but as you can see by the Poll people think DM is better. I think he gets more publicity and thats it. And I think publicity tends to over rate players.

Mitchell had his worst PS of the past 3 years, and arguably still performed better than CJ did in his situation this year.

Mitchell in the 2022 PS this year

26.3 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of -3.3%)

BPM-2.8

Backpicks BPM-2.9

AuPM/G-0.8

Created about 8.7 shots per 100 possessions

CJ Mcollum in the 2022 PS

22 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of -5.9%)

BPM-0.6

Backpicks BPM-1.7

AuPM/G-0.2

Created about 5.9 shots per 100 possessions

If you look at their play from the last 3 PS, they are not close. Mitchell was better than him the past 2 years, and that is part of the reason why he rightfully got more acclaim.

[LukaTheGOAT]

I don't mind young Davion, but I'm not sure why it's even a comparison at this point.

[eminence]

In seriousness, I do slightly prefer Donovan, but I'd probably have it a lot closer than the general media and whatnot would (I proposed a CJ + picks for Don trade in the case Don asks for a trade). CJ is a solid player.

[70sFan]

I agree that Donovan is overrated, though I'm not sure if CJ is any better. Mitchell has very broad skillset and looks aesthetically pleasing on the court, but I don't think he's really among the best offensive players in the league. On top of that, his defense is horrible.

This is one of the moments where I disagree with Ben analysis, he seems to be considerably higher on Mitchell than me.

[Fadeaway_J]

I agree that Donovan is overrated, though I'm not sure if CJ is any better. Mitchell has very broad skillset and looks aesthetically pleasing on the court, but I don't think he's really among the best offensive players in the league. On top of that, his defense is horrible.

This is one of the moments where I disagree with Ben analysis, he seems to be considerably higher on Mitchell than me.

I'm just not sure what makes C.J. in particular a better player when he has a lot of the same weaknesses.