DETROIT — Conversations in the offseason or in training camp produce the best — if not most delusional — versions of players.
The road to disappointment is often paved with good intentions, so it wasn't a guarantee Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was going to stay true to taking his foot off the pedal in order for the overall team to grow.
“Everybody says they’re willing to sacrifice until it’s them,” Mitchell told Yahoo Sports recently. “Are you really, truly ready?”
Mitchell has backed up his words, and the Cavaliers have benefited. He's taking the fewest shots since his rookie year, and his minutes are at a career low, but that’s by design more than some fall-off — per 36 minutes, his points and assists aren’t far off his career highs.