There are plenty of TV chyron people who recognize Donovan Mitchell. He’s the famous guy, the one who presented the NBA draft on ESPN, the Rookie of the Year runner-up, the slam dunk contest champion. Not very many know the undrafted guard situated seemingly permanently to his right, the one who was underappreciated even in college, began last season as Utah’s 15th man and even now toils under a nonguaranteed contract.
Most NBA players would bristle at the perceived lack of respect shown. Some would use it for motivation. Royce O’Neale just doesn’t care. This isn’t politics; perception isn’t reality.