As Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mithcell has goals for the rest of the season, the team first has to bounce back amid a three-game losing streak. It wasn’t too long ago that the Cavs were on a 16-game winning streak, but now that they are on the skid, Mitchell sees it in a positive light.
Mitchell spoke after the Cavs’ last loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, 123-119, where the star finished with 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He would express how because he’s “kind of a sicko,” he enjoys this as the team is looking to overcome hurdles according to Cleveland.com.
“I’m trying to refrain from using the word happy,” Mitchell said. “I’m kind of a sicko, so I enjoy this. This is what makes the season fun — going through adversity.”
“The sky is not falling. But we have some (expletive) to figure out,” Mitchell continued. “This is part of it. We have to be better. That’s no lie. I feel like this is something that is really going to help us going forward. You don’t grow without going through things…It’s another challenge for us.”
Donovan Mitchell on the lessons the Cavs are having
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Even with the losing streak, the Cavs have had a historic season in their franchise history so while a loss could be seen as an opportunity to be better, Mitchell still is frustrated. However, he sees it as “lessons you want to have.”
“I’m not ever going to be happy that we are losing a game. But these are lessons you want to have — now,” Mitchell said. “When the time comes and we’re in Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Indiana, wherever we are at, and our backs are against the wall, you remember Sacramento, the Clippers or Orlando at home. You have something that is fresh on your brain.
“I think when you have had the success that we have had it’s human nature at some point to have a little slippage,” Mitchell continued. “We have had slippage throughout the season. But we have covered it up with wins. Fortunately, we have built a cushion so we’re not in certain situations as some other teams.”
Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell on the skid happening at the “perfect time”
With the Cavs looking to make major noise in the playoffs, they are going through the motions like any top team which Mitchell acknowledges.
“You have to go through these things to learn what you have to fix and how to fix it,” Mitchell said. “I like that it is now. This is the perfect time, right before we are about to get into it. On the road. March has been a hell of a schedule. All these obstacles. These are the tests we have talked about. How are we going to react? This is what I enjoy because it’s finding ways to get better and continuing to grow.”
“The outside world, I don’t know what’s being said, it may look crazy, but this is what you want,” Mitchell continued. “You want to bring this on now so when it becomes playoff time, we’re not running into this for the first time.”
The Cavs are still 56-13 which puts them first in the East as they next face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
