Cavs’ Tristan Thompson sounds off on Donovan Mitchell slight

The 2024-25 NBA preseason normal supervisor survey is out, and surprisingly, a sure Cleveland Cavaliers famous person was lacking. Within the 50-question ballot, the NBA executives addressed quite a few subjects, together with the very best groups, gamers, coaches, and offseason strikes. NBA normal managers have been prohibited from voting for his or her group or personnel. One of many subjects, the very best taking pictures guard within the NBA, was surprising since Cavs famous person Donovan Mitchell was excluded from the checklist. It even annoyed a few of Mitchell’s teammates – like veteran large man Tristan Thompson.

“The GMs did it,” Thompson requested the media after Cleveland’s shootaround. “Simply use it as motivation. Kick they a–, you recognize? ‘You didn’t put me on the checklist. I’m going to make use of it as motivation.’ Simply kick everybody’s a– and when the GMs have their golf shirts on, simply stroll by and be like … simply maintain it down.

“There are 30 groups. Let’s say there are, what, 4 guys simply nearly as good as him? So, that’s like 25 different guys he’s higher than. So, 25 of you GMs, I’m higher than your greatest participant that you simply guys are most likely paying the identical sum of money or paying much less and doubtless caught with him as a result of you possibly can’t commerce him as a result of they’re not adequate, whereas Donovan is admittedly good. Donovan is a high 5 two-guard, simply.

“Feels like they’ve an issue. Feels like they’ve been making dangerous choices.”

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the highest vote-getter within the class, getting 33% of the vote. Phoenix Suns taking pictures guard Devin Booker, who was No. 1 final 12 months, completed second behind Edwards. Oklahoma Metropolis star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who often performs level guard, got here in third. Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Golden State Warriors star level guard Stephen Curry and Dallas Mavericks level guard Luka Doncic rounded out the highest 5.

Lastly, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics fell into the class of “others receiving votes.” Mitchell wasn’t even on that checklist.

Have been NBA normal managers unsuitable about Cavs famous person Donovan Mitchell?

Whereas it is comprehensible that Edwards or Booker would obtain consideration because the league’s greatest taking pictures guard, the NBA’s normal managers have been silly to miss Mitchell. Final season, Mitchell averaged 26.6 factors on 46.2% from the sphere and 36.8% from 3-point vary to go along with career-bests in assists (6.1), rebounds (5.1), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.5).  If Mitchell hadn’t missed a lot time as a result of damage, he would’ve earned All-NBA honors and may’ve been within the league MVP dialog.

“You solely want one to like you, and Koby Altman loves you,” Thompson mentioned, referring to Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman.

Since Mitchell got here to Cleveland, the Cavs have gained 99 regular-season video games within the final two years and 5 playoff video games below Mitchell. Extra impressively, with Mitchell, the Cavs made the Jap Convention Playoffs and Jap Convention Semifinals for the primary time with out LeBron James for the reason that 1997-98 season and 1992-93 season, respectively. Furthermore, Mitchell believes this Cavs group can push for a championship, one thing James has been capable of carry Cleveland to.

“There’s at all times one other degree,” Mitchell mentioned. “You are feeling that, and going towards them, you stroll off the ground towards Boston feeling like, all proper, (Boston’s nice). However I don’t suppose we’re distant.”

Mitchell believes in what he can accomplish with the Cavs and dedicated to them long-term this summer season. However since NBA executives do not suppose he is one of many league’s greatest, Mitchell has to show it. Cleveland kicks off its 2024-25 marketing campaign on the highway towards the Toronto Raptors. Count on Mitchell to let everybody know what they have not been seeing from the Cavs.