Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell wasn’t trying to be rude, but he had a quick answer to a recent question about Cleveland’s 3-point shooting.
Asked whether the Cavs are too reliant on 3-pointers, Mitchell provided a clear answer.
“Would you ask Boston that question?” Mitchell asked, clarifying that he wasn’t trying to be rude. “… That’s the name of the game right now. That’s what it is. Pace and space. Continuing to play and make the right play. When we have guys that can get in the paint, when you’re creating and knocking down shots, it’s open looks. You look at the teams that won, the Golden State’s, the Boston’s — being able to create and have so many different threats, it becomes unpredictable.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think we’re too reliant. I didn’t mean to be an a–hole.”
The Cavs have been lethal from beyond the arc this season, as they’re shooting a league-best 40.5 percent from deep.
Since the Mitchell era began in Cleveland, this is far and away the best 3-point shooting team the Cavs have had. In each of Mitchell’s first two seasons with the organization, the squad shot 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, a world of a difference when compared to this season.
Players up and down Cleveland’s roster have contributed to the team’s success on 3-pointers. Among players averaging at least 10 minutes per game for the Cavs this season, the team has five guys shooting over 40 percent from long range. Mitchell himself is shooting 41.2 percent from deep and is averaging the most 3-point attempts of any Cavs player at 9.3 per game.
Here’s a closer look at the five players who fit the aforementioned criteria.
- Ty Jerome: 49.3 percent from deep on 3.0 attempts per game
- Caris LeVert: 47.7 percent from deep on 3.8 attempts per game
- Isaac Okoro: 46.3 percent from deep on 2.6 attempts per game
- Darius Garland: 44.0 percent from deep on 6.8 attempts per game
- Donovan Mitchell: 41.2 percent from deep on 9.3 attempts per game
While the Cavs are leading the NBA in 3-point percentage, they only rank 11th in 3-point attempts per game, a possible indication that they aren’t leaning too heavily on the outside shot.
Moreover, even if one were to argue that Cleveland has indeed been relying on 3s too much, a quick look at the Cavs’ results this season would offer a good counterargument. The squad is 20-3 through 23 games and has the best record in the NBA.
The Cavs may run into some challenges at some point this season, but right now, things are going swimmingly, and there aren’t too many reasons to be concerned.
