Cleveland Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell addressed leading a new era of the franchise with All-Stars Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and a supporting cast of players in comparison to the LeBron James and Kyrie Irving-led 2016 team. After Mitchell endured the Cavs’ disappointing playoff run, he reflected on Cleveland’s epic 2024-25 campaign, the disappointment that followed, and how the team is different from James and Irving’s.
Mitchell explained how the current Cavs team does things differently in comparison to one James and Irving led to the franchise’s first championship.
“We’re not the LeBron James, Kyrie Irving Cavaliers. We do it differently. We do it with Evan, we do it with myself, we do it with DG, we do it with Max, we do it with Jay, all the guys on the roster, and it’s just different,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s something that people talk about, it’s something that I think is great for the city, by all means. And obviously we have a picture of the parade and we want to put understanding that hey, like you know, we want to do it our own way while still having respect for what was done for the city.”
Because the 2016 Cavs was the first and only team to secure an NBA title, Mitchell understands why fans like to compare the two teams, but is adamant in his opinion on how the two eras differ from one another.
“There’s always that comparison, and there’s always going to be that comparison because there is only one other time, but I think we’re all comfortable. I’m comfortable to be like, hey that’s not us,” Mitchell added. “That was that team, and we are different.”
Donovan Mitchell couldn’t shake Cavs’ early playoff exit
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
After leading the Eastern Conference with 64 regular-season wins, including a 15 and franchise record 16-game win streak, Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell was devastated to lose to the Pacers admist injuries. Mitchell explained how a deep run toward the NBA Finals felt like a foregone conclusion.
“In my mind, it was like this is supposed to [happen]. Everybody says, like you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, and that was my plan,” Mitchell said. “Like, alright, cool, 60 games, we’re on these win streaks, alright, cool. I’m not saying we took anything for granted at all by any means, but this felt like this was that time.”
The Cavs are the odds-on favortie to win the Eastern Conference in 2025-26.
