MIAMI — When the Miami Heat dealt Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, the team received pieces such as Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson, but one might argue that Davion Mitchell has been the most notable. In addition to his outstanding performance for the Heat against the Hawks in the play-in tournament, the 26-year-old has demonstrated since the trade that he is an ideal match for the team’s identity.
Mitchell spoke with ClutchPoints following Friday’s practice in preparation for Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on his time with Miami thus far and his probable future with the franchise.
While it generally takes time for players to adjust to a new squad, Mitchell was able to do it immediately away, thanks to his defensive intensity and offensive playmaking.
When asked if he was shocked to see such a rapid adjustment period, Mitchell responded that he “knew how Heat Culture was” from the outside.
“I wasn’t shocked, I mean, just because I knew how Heat Culture was,” Mitchell told me. “I knew they played incredibly hard, which is what I’m renowned for. That is the reason I am in the NBA. I play very hard on both ends of the floor, so I thought I’d fit right in.
I just had to get to know my teammates. Develop some chemistry there. Get chemistry with Spo [Erik Spoelstra], learn what he likes, and I’ll thrive right away.”
Davion Mitchell on his desire to return to the Heat next season
Mitchell, the Heat’s newcomer from the Toronto Raptors, is a former first-round pick out of Baylor who will become a restricted free agent after the season. Based on how he plays, it appears that the team wants Mitchell to stay in Miami, and there’s little doubt the sentiment is mutual.
“Love everything that the Heat Culture has, that they bring,” Mitchell went on. “I’d love to be here, but right now I’m trying to concentrate on Game 3. “We’ll figure it out after we win the NBA Finals.”
Mitchell has averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 30 games for Miami, shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from outside the arc. He began his stint with the squad in the starting lineup as the guard alongside to Tyler Herro, but was demoted to the bench before rediscovering his stride in Game 3, when he was reinserted.
It would be Mitchell’s first playoff start, but it makes no difference to him because of his extended playing time of 31.6 minutes per game. Furthermore, as Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told ClutchPoints, the Baylor product routinely closes games.
Mitchell contributes significantly to the squad, whether it’s by playing good defense, dishing out assists, or making big three-pointers when needed.
Davion Mitchell of the Heat talks about “hating” teams with a tanking approach.
Mitchell has proven to be an important member of the rotation, demonstrating why the Heat’s Jimmy Butler package resulted in a positive return, while Wiggins and Anderson have also contributed to differing degrees. When Spoelstra discussed his decision to reinstate Mitchell as a starter, he emphasized the guard’s ability to orchestrate the offense while opening up looks for Herro and Wiggins.
Now that he’s experienced playoff basketball, which Miami typically thrives at, he spoke at length about the franchise’s resilience in the face of others attempting “to get the draft pick.”
“That’s the one thing I did like about the Heat, they’re gonna play hard no matter what,” Mitchell told the crowd. “And a lot of these teams want to acquire the draft pick by tanking and losing, not on intentionally, but it was fine that we lost. And I despised that. I’ve been in those industries, and I despised it because I’m a guy who only knows how to win, and I can’t play any other way.”
“Miami, no matter what, no matter the circumstances, they’re trying to win every game,” according to Mitchell. “That’s what I enjoy about Miami. It’s never been a case of, ‘All right, we’re going to try to acquire a No. 1 selection.’ It’s like, ‘No, we’re going to play as hard as we can with the men we have, whatever happens.’ And when an organization accomplishes that, it’s difficult for me not to like it.”
Mitchell will aim to continue his stellar play in Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, as the Heat look to avoid a 0-3 series disadvantage to the Cavs.
Leave a Reply