Is it time to worry about Donovan Mitchell’s knee? | Cleveland Cavaliers podcast

Is it time to worry about Donovan Mitchell’s knee? | Cleveland Cavaliers podcast

It’s time to start worrying about Donovan Mitchell’s knee I’ll explain why on a weekend edition of the locked on Cavs podcast you are locked on Cavs your daily Cleveland Cavaliers podcast No star my back BL welcome in to a late Saturday night early Sunday morning depending on when you’re watching or listening edition of the locked on cast podcast I am Chris Manning Here solo today producing today the whole shebang here on March 16th Cavs Lucy Houston wasn’t good we’ll talk about that coming up we’ll talk

About Marcus Moore Senor as reported tweeted about by the Patrick Beverly podcast uh and if he would provide anything we’ll get to that but the big story for in cavor right now is Donovan Mitchell just is there there’s no way around this there’s no way to say that this isn’t the biggest

Story yes Cleveland’s loss on Saturday was bad straight up just a bad loss but the the biggest thing is what Donovan Mitchell said after the game I’m going to read a quote as transcribed and shared on X by Serena winners of B Sports no disrespect this is all via Mitchell so

Quote no disrespect respect but I’m not really blowing by people right now and that’s disappointing to me that’s affecting me I’m probably not playing next game to be completely honest with you kind of just take some rest and get it right I thought I was ready but I’m

Not and it sucks and I want to be out there but it’s clear as day even to myself I can’t fool myself I’ll get it right and be ready when the time comes end quote that that tells you B in in conjunction with how he has played in

The two games since he’s come back that Mitchell came back too soon he missed uh several games after having a PRP injection on March 7th to tr bone brw he was ruled out three games and then said maybe he’ll come back during the road trip that was the reporting he

Does come back to road trip in fact he kicks off the road trip in New Orleans on Wednesday in place Cleveland wins that game I think they got a big emotional and energy boost from his return but did he look like all NBA caliber Allstar caliber somewhere in the

MVP ladder caliber Donovan Mitchell that he did not he was he had 14 points in that game he was five of six from the five of 16 from the field that’s not Donovan Mitchell quality that is not Donovan Mitchell numbers then you go to Saturday’s game

He was 4- 13 he had 13 points he was not as he said last year after the Dylan Brooks dust up he was not busting his swear word I can’t say all over the court he did not look like himself he did not look explosive like the Donovan

Mitchell that we are used to that you should expect to have he also just was settling for a lot of Threes he does always take a lot of Threes but eight of his 13 shots from three in 25 minutes that’s a that’s skewing towards settling for jump shots which reinforces

What he said after the game to the media in Houston right now I mean maybe they had some fun the night before for Tristan Thomson’s birthday but that doesn’t explain everything that is going on with Mitchell right now and I it’s flat out just time to be concerned it just

Is Mitchell is is the engine of this team he is its Alpha he is its Omega he is what drives it he is the best player on the team he’s one of the best 20 players 15 players wherever you have him in the NBA he’s having a great year this team

Success while Evan Mobley was out the first time and Darius Garland was out you Jared alers credit JB bicker CH credit a whole bunch of guys deserve credit number one on that list was Donovan Mitchell number one with a bullet and he suffers this bone bruise in his

Knee he sympathized with him for it obviously but it’s pretty clear he came back too soon and now you don’t know when is he going to return he says he’s probably not going to play Monday let’s just say he doesn’t play Monday you look at the Cavs upcoming

Schedule it’s not as jam-pack as it was you know like a week ago when they come back out of the Aller break but here’s here’s the rest of the Month Cavs Pacers Monday that’s the next game he was referring to in the quote Cavs at home against Miami on Wednesday Cavs at Minnesota on Friday Cavs at heat on Sunday the 24th Cavs home versus the Hornets on Monday the 25th Cavs away to Charlotte on Wednesday the 27th and then home

Versus Philly on the 29th and then they are in Denver on Easter Sunday at least I think it’s Easter Sunday on March 31st that’s a busy rest of the month against a lot of good teams and oh by the way when the calendar flips to April

We’re in playoff mode not only do they start that month with a West Coast road trip that will take them to Denver Utah Phoenix LA and then La again Lakers Clippers in that order April 6th and 7th but April 14th the regular season ends home game versus Charlotte 1 p.m.

The playoffs are right around the corner you can see them in the distance now you don’t need binoculars anymore you’re in the final stretch of this marathon of an NBA regular season and Donovan Mitchell’s beat up he is hurt when is he going to be right I don’t know if he can

Answer that I don’t know the coaching staff I don’t know if they can answer that I we we cannot answer that what he is going to be healthwise the rest of the way is the most important thing the Cavs have on their calendar to the way seeding

Wise maybe this comes into play Cavs are a game behind the bucks for the two seed you think of Mitchell Miss some time and the Bucks recent form kind of gives him an edge okay three seed is is your most realistic outcome Nicks are two and a half back magic are three

Back you’re not so far away from those teams that you couldn’t slide back back into four maybe that means you get the Magic in round one or something and you win that but then you’re on Boston side of the bracket and it felt like just a few weeks ago that you were

In pull position for the two seed and now you have sliden back and that’s not if things happen but injuries and all that is just an unfortunate way to lose that and lose some your momentum because on top of Mitchell obviously Evan Mobley is out

And Max dreu is out and W to miss some time Mitchell’s the biggest one and all these other injuries add up but that’s that’s the biggest one and if and you don’t just know when he is going to be right is he going to be right in a

Week two weeks is he going to be able to blow by people in April we don’t know he said at the end of that quote the phrase that I’ll get right and be ready when the time comes so when is the time that is now question number one the rest of

The way for the Cleveland Cavaliers the games will matter Darius Garland’s form will matter other guys returning from injury will matter but when does Mitchell play again and when does he look like himself when does he start blowing by guys again and feel comfortable on that

Knee we don’t know I don’t know if he knows I don’t know if anyone knows but it’s now the biggest unknown for Cleveland the rest of the way buckle up I think it’s Su to be Donovan Mitchell knee watch for the foreseeable future all right after this Cavs

Rockets hope you did some something better with your Saturday night is what I would say about Cav’s Rockets Cav certainly didn’t feel like they wanted to be there that’s up next today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at eBay Motors eBay Motors has teamed up with

Locked on Fantasy Basketball host Josh Lloyd to bring you some of his best fantasy picks each week every week all all season long whether you’re preing for a daily draft or scouting for the waiver wire every week we’re going to provide you with players that are

Guaranteed to fit on your roster so to Josh’s pick for us on this week’s eBay is guaranteed fit fantasy pick of the week a name I like on this list is keante George the Utah Jazz guard he’s taking charge in Utah Josh rights and the only thing slowing him down would be

An injury big Keon George fan over here and like him for what the Jazz are building over there even if it’s a little bit of ways away Josh Lloyd from locked on fantasy basketball is going to help you win your fantasy championship in eBay Motors knows a championship team

Is about each player being a perfect fit same with your vehicle with over 100 with over 100 over 122 Million Parts forone ride or die mouthful you can make sure your ride stays running smoothly braak hits LED headlights roof rack bumpers whatever your baby needs eBay Motors has it and

With eBay guaranteed fit it’s a guaranteed fit you’re ride first time every time or your money back plus at these prices you’re burning rubber not cash keep your Rider ey alive at ebaymotors.com eBay guaranteed fit is only available to us customers eligible items only exclusions apply lock on by the way has launched

The first ever National 247 streaming Channel on YouTube locked on Sports today’s here for you 24 seven covering the top sports stories of the day with the local Experts of lockdown plus our national shows covering every league go to lockdown sports today on YouTube and subscribe to the first ever National Sports

247 streaming channel so Cavs Rockets Cleveland loses 117 to 103 the fact that they outscored Houston by 11 in the fourth quarter just like that game was over it felt over at halftime Cleveland since the All-Star break has been very inconsistent and very up and down very very rarely at their

Best very rarely looking good and if you told me that Mitchell decide that this is the performance that they would put up after the way they played against New Orleans the other night which by the way New Orleans is good they just beat the Clippers and are going to be a problem

As the kids say in the western comps playoffs they just they’re going to be a tough out for somebody I kind of want Houston New Orleans for what that’s worth but if you told me that this is the performance they would put up after that Houston game or after the New

Orleans game excuse me into this Houston game that that would have surprised me on top of just that Houston is down out in sangon who is their best player the best guy they got in the 2021 draft class guy’s awesome he’s out so playing Five out you you obviously there’s some structural things

That can happen with that you know they they just play Jabari Smith at Center and do all the stuff but it shouldn’t look like it flumi you and you also just shouldn’t have the energy level that it felt like everyone but Caris LeVert did you go down the list you know Jared

Allen only takes seven shots had seven boards just of one of his most blah games of the year okoro was just kind of blly you know he still just plays hard but it just didn’t really convert to anything Darius was pretty eh in this one no one except for Carris who’s eight

Of 14 from the field and even he was only one of four from three but he did had this the seven assists really brought it everyone on Houston brought it they showed up from the opening tip to their credit blitzed the energy were more aggressive everything and the Cavs just weren’t

They lose the game kind of on that Mir alone I mean this applies to Mitchell who again just doesn’t look right and this is part of the problem when he doesn’t look right M when Mitchell isn’t able to create penetration kick out the shooters break down defenses do Donovan

Mitchell’s stuff this team just doesn’t function cist this team doesn’t function at the same level it is obviously exciting to watch Donovan Mitchell would be awesome I mean seeing him score what he did in person in last year in the 70 plus game that the big moments he’s had in Cleveland it

Has been awesome he’s incredibly fun to watch but for Cleveland and and what star players do in the NBA is they give your team functionality they they raise your bar they can help you go 120 on the highway and and have no issues drive safer than

That but they also just let your team like operate like a normal basketball team they let your team get into sets and create problems for both defenses and just make shots and give everyone open shots and just work when Mitchell’s not there you need someone to step up no

One does and this is how you get a game like this this should have just been a winnable game this should have just been a winnable game for Cleveland this is a game I think they they were favored in I would have expected them to win again no

Sangon for Houston the Cavs had a day off all that stuff this feels like a game Cleveland was right for favored in and it didn’t look like it if you had put an alien from outer space and showed them this game they would have been like why is this Cleveland team not playing

As hard as the other team why is this Cleveland team the team in the wi and gold just lacking basically everywhere on the floor no one even the returning TR and Thompson could really give them any life that’s weird that’s a little bit concerning on trist and Thompson cool L’s back

Um seemingly all the quotes have just H the coaching staff and the players have all just embraced him post PD suspension okay take them for the word on that that’s their prerogative I I I’m Pro forgiveness not sure how much he’s it going to play going forward played 15 minutes in this game

Damen Jones played 11 because sure like that’s that’s the kind of game this was that both of them played minutes uh Damen Jones shot at to you got up four shots two three just awesome stuff from him we’ll see how much hon plays I think that that kind of leader you would hope

They can rely on that to kind of spur them and kind of avoid some of these games kind of help them be more consistent I think that’s part of the reason why this guy matters to this particular team but obviously didn’t work here again maybe

They just had some fun in Houston it’s a City NBA players do really like so maybe Mitchell had a cool post game this is from chris.com that I’m going to just hit on here real quick quote there are things like tonight that are disappointing when you’re trying to

Strive for what you’re trying to strive for but there there’s also a lesson in it we shouldn’t have lost this one the way we did even if we did lose it shouldn’t have looked that way it looked we should have won this game we didn’t we did come out the right way terrible

Performance by us can’t get those 40 minutes back but how do we respond that’s ultimately the Judgment of who we are we have heard this quote in different words and said different ways a couple times this isn’t the first time Mitchell or someone on this team has given a coil like

This I’m not going to sit here and tell you that every NBA regular season game like matters to the same degree because they don’t we live in a world where the NBA season is really really long some games you’re just going to have off and you’re going to have weird

Results and they don’t always tell you anything like I’m Pro Data I love looking at Big overarching Data and seeing what I can learn from and all that stuff it’s useful but then there’s also times where it’s like I wish I could just have a filter where it’s where someone could

Write a code to filter out the games and and the numbers where I could be like yeah uh okay the Cavs in Houston that was just like this really weird game it doesn’t actually tell us anything about what this team is at full strength okay like that that’s not

Really realistic with the time and energy and money I have but like okay I would I would like it regardless this is I I do think think that the fact that consistency continues to be an issue the fact that mindset continues to be an issue I would be very frustrated by this

If I’m the locker room i’ would be very frustrated by this if I am the coaching staff I I think it’s it’s not a good look and you got to write the ship that if Mitchell is number one and I would say you know streu and moble are

Probably the the next ones I do really want to just see how this team’s mindset is looking going into the playoffs are they going to can they go into the playoffs with some momentum some good energy some forward progressing basketball and not games like this where you have this great

Performance you know you beat you know you did you beat Boston not long ago and then you’ve kind of backslid to this and you’ve had all these great comebacks and you beat New Orleans Wednesday but you backslide of this like can we just get some consistency some effort some

Intentionality that would tell you that this team can’t have another right direction this Mitchell quote is is accurate but you are they going to learn the lesson are they going to turn the corner that’s that’s the question to ask about this game is is this just like another

Weird one and laid in the regular season while the team’s banged up or is it telling you something about their habits we we’ll find out in some way if what this game ultimately meant we’ll find out maybe in two weeks a month playoffs whenever that happens we’re going to find out at

Some point this game will will make more sense once we get more to come all right after this last segment Marcus Morris senior huh so Patrick Beverly’s tweeted about this his podcast and Patrick Beverly but no one else really has but does Marcus Morris actually add something to Cleveland that they need

That’s a B for this today’s episode is brought to you by Stitch fix with Stitch fix you get a stylist who understand your style and budget they do all the shopping for you it’s the easiest way to update your wardrobe this season easily upgrade your wardrobe this year with a professional

Styles that helps you find new on Trend favorites that will work for you your stylist sends you just the right pieces the fit is always on point it’s like they have style ESP I don’t know how they do it but they do they make it all

Easy shopping can be such a pain and they save you that time and effort and you get to look good they make you feel good too and if you don’t love something you can just send it back shipping returns and exchanges are always free with Stitch fix style makes you feel

Good as you look get started today at stitchfix.com lockon that’s stitchfix.com lockon stitchfix.com locked on all right last segment of the day here on the locked on Cavs podcast Chris Manning Here solo whole shebang for me today on a Saturday night again I hope you all did something better than I did

Which was watch Cavs Rockets I hope you’re like saw the box score or maybe watch the half and are like I’m going to I’m going to go get a corn beef for St Patrick’s Day or I’m G to have a Guinness or if you don’t drink I you

Went on a walk just something more productive than Cav Rockets good Lord so Marcus Morris um so Patrick this again remains just like the the bizar news break right so Marcus Sor Senor is longtime NBA veteran Ford twin brother uh with Dallas also longtime NBA veteran with Philly earlier this

Year gets traded at the deadline uh three teamer ends up in San Antonio ultimately bought out by San Antonio she was a free agent Patrick Beverly uh has his show at bar stool the pat Bev pod with rone why I know that I don’t know but good for them pev that account tweets

That Marcus Morris intends to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers sources that’s that’s the Tweet Patrick Beverly tweets the same tweets something about it excited about it happy for his guy wishes him luck all that stuff Right so that’s all we have from it uh as far as I have seen no one else has really well okay so Cham chirania okay this is 58 minutes ago I had not seen this yet so this is why I’m doing Googling real time this is great podcasting sham chirania says that

Marcus Morris is signing a 10-day deal with the Cavs it is not going he’ll be available Monday so it’s not the rest of the season it is not something that will take them into the playoffs but he’s on the roster he’ll be available Monday it’s another body my opinion though like whether this

Was a full season thing or not actually would have been the same and it’s that I I understand if you have some push back to this and like wonder what he’s going to provide I don’t really this is not someone that if he was on the roster in

The playoffs I really should probably be playing he’s not at his Peak anymore Dean way and George Yang are both better but if you told me that like JB bicker staff in game five of a competitive Series against like Miami or something or the Knicks again is like you know

What like we just need someone to be tough and not be scared for like five minutes we’re going to like try Marcus Morris like I would be like sure you could you could convince me there are worse ways to use a roster spot so like that that’s that I would

Say that I I don’t know what value that is ultimately is that changing at the directory of your team no like should he play no it’s on a 10 days so like we don’t even know if he’s going to be on the team after the 10 days do they sign do

Another one he is playoff eligible maybe there’s just some like accounting stuff going on here but this is a pretty innocuous signing this is a guy who can help you in terms of locker room I think it’s another tough voice another adult someone who’s not going to back

Down if you needed in two in the playoffs like there’s some for a team that I think got rightfully pushed at for its toughness last year like I don’t hate that I think there’s a world where he doesn’t play at all and it doesn’t matter I think that’s almost the

Likeliest outcome in a lot of ways is just like okay what is is he playing over Dean W is he playing over GE no I do look at this and say okay this is someone that I if you wanted to go get a veteran body for the

Playoff run I lot like Danny Green last year I don’t hate it I think it’s a a well respected guy I think this is a move that goes over well in the locker room him and Tristan being your like No Nonsense vets is a good thing to have in

Your back pocket on a top of the Yang who’s tough and struce like I don’t hate that there there’s like an argument I I I I’ve seen people make on like Reddit and and in some conversations with with people who do some work around the team

Or just like the team who have been like why don’t you just sign like ammani Bates to a contract and like just give him that he’s been a good guy all year he’s a more long-term Prospect he’s on a 2A just converting whatever sure you could do

That but who would be more likely this year to help you in a playoff series I would probably say mark Morrison both of them have pretty slim odds of actually helping you secondly you could just get a m in the summer he can finishing in the g- league

Be in a 2-way be around you you get the veteran for the next couple months or maybe just the 10 days and then you get him on when he’s if you really want him you get him in the summer and and look teams will tell you what they they

Actually think more by their moves in what they say I am pro access to JB bicker staff and Kobe Alman and the players but at certain point with the leadership decision makers the decision makers who are the leaders of the organization is a better way of saying

That they will tell you what they actually think more by what they do than what they Say that they weren’t in a rush to give amanii Bates like a full NBA contract when they drafted him or even on the main roster I what they’ve done with Craig Porter Jr like that tells you something about where they think he’s at and what they think

He can provide the fact they’re going out again Marcus morrs tells you something about where they they feel about their front court right now and maybe it’s the injuries maybe it’s just Dean Wade uncertainty Nang whatever it is they feel that fits their needs better that tells you something that is

Something that you are learning from them by what they’re getting in Marcus Morris and not in ammani Bates or a p or a Pete n and Isaiah Moy or whatever it is that tells you something is Marcus Morris going to change the Cav’s world no is it useful for your locker room in

In a way that’ll be hard for us to track I would argue yes but will we ever know I don’t know no it’s very hard to tell sometimes but I I don’t hate it I get it from a locker room perspective I get it from just to get another tough vet in

Their perspective to me there’s there is value in in that kind of thing as you’re building out a culture and trying to prepare guys to just be a little tougher and be ready to go so that’s that Marcus Morris welcome to the Cleveland Cavaliers let’s see if he plays on

Monday against Indiana that could be fun no Mitchell probably though so we’ll see where that game goes we’ll review that and in the week ahead in Cav basketball on Monday so we’ll cover that game and much more this week on the lock on cast Pockets hope you enjoyed Evan uh taking

The rains the last couple days including his p with Justin Rowan I think every lock on Cavs of State of the Union so you know but that’s it this is my rebuttal then I guess if that was the state of the union anyway this has been lock on Cavs for

Late Saturday night I’m Chris Manning enjoy the rest of your evening enjoy your Sunday we’ll talk to you soon

On a new episode of Locked on Cavs (Saturday, March 16, 2024) hosts Chris Manning (@cwmwrites, The Just Basketball Show, SB Nation’s Fear the Sword, Forbes Sports) goes solo to discuss Donovan Mitchell’s knee, his underwhelming first two games back, Mitchell saying he’s “probably” not playing on Monday, the Cavaliers’ loss to the Houston Rockets and Marcus Morris Sr. joining Cleveland.
Jake Stephens produced this episode. Check out his latest EP “If We Fall Asleep Too Early” on Spotify or wherever you listen to music.
Our intro music is from our friends at Astral Radio.
Subscribe to the Locked on Cavs Subtext – claim your free one-month trial now!
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Stitch Fix
Style that makes you feel as good as you look—get started today at StitchFix.com/LOCKEDON
Grammarly
When it comes to writing, Grammarly is there to support you from start to finish. With one click, you can easily and easily brainstorm, rewrite, and reply with suggestions based on your context and goals. Go to grammarly.com/PODCAST to download for FREE today.
Nissan
Our friends at Nissan have a lineup of SUV’s with the capabilities to take your adventure to the next level. Take the Nissan Rogue, Nissan Pathfinder, or Nissan Armada and go find your next big adventure. Shop NissanUSA.com.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.
eBay Motors
For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.
FanDuel
Get buckets with your first bet on FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your bet wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY),

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOCavs?sid=YouTube

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA

#Cavs #ClevelandCavaliers #NBA