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Donovan Mitchell does well in MVP voting for the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Chad Porto

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making a basket in the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making a basket in the fourth quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ own Donovan Mitchell came in 6th for the NBA MVP Award.

Cleveland Cavaliers starting shooting guard Donovan Mitchell came in sixth place for the NBA MVP, coming in behind the winner, Joel Embiid, the runner-up Nikola Jokic, third-place finisher
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the fourth-place finisher, and fifth-place finisher Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Mitchell finished with 30 points, with one vote for fourth place, and then 30 for fifth place. He only came in sixth because Domantas Sabonis took a lot of expected votes from Mitchell, and had that not happened, Mitchell likely would’ve finished fifth in the voting.

Mitchell’s sixth-place finish is actually a nice cap to a season that ended in disappointment. After being dominated by the New York Knicks in their opening-round series, the Cavs looked very vulnerable and incomplete as a team.

Doubt about J.B. Bickerstaff’s ability to guide the team started to emerge, as even though the Cavs were the best in the league, his offense was the worst. Blame also fell on Cavs President Koby Altman and Cavs GM Mike Gansey for their failure to improve the depth of the team at the NBA Trade Deadline, opting to instead stand pat.

Things have been rough for the Cavs right now, but Mitchell earning a Top 6 showing in the MVP was a nice way to cap off the year, especially coupled with the fact that LeBron James, the Cavs’ former star, didn’t receive one vote this year for MVP. The first time in his career that’s ever happened.

Building around Donovan Mitchell is still the right call for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Right now the best way forward is to build a team around Mitchell and maximize his skills. That means more shooters, and some bigger bodies off the bench to help spell Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. If that means others have to be traded or let go in the process to mold this team around the Cavs and their double dragons in the low post, then you do that.

Mitchell could very easily win an MVP in Cleveland if he has better talent around him who can help make it easier for him to score. Right now, when Isaac Okoro is out there with him, the opposing defenses don’t even bother covering Okoro, making it far too easy to double-team Mitchell.

Hopefully, a strong offseason will change that.

Next. 5 Cleveland Cavaliers who shouldn’t be back if they stumble in the playoffs. dark

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