NY Knicks NBA Draft: 3 reasons Davion Mitchell would be an ideal fit
By Adam Kester
NBA Draft: Davion Mitchell’s lockdown defense fits right in with The NY Knicks
What have we heard about The NY Knicks all season long? Defense. Physical defense, suffocating defense, relentless defense. Tom Thibodeau has taken an unorganized group of players and given them an identity. They play a ruthless style defense that features constant movement and pressure on the perimeter. I outlined some of the Xs and Os of Thibodeau’s overloading defense earlier this week. Man, would Davion Mitchell thrive on this team.
Mitchell has earned a reputation as one of the toughest perimeter defenders in the country. Davion Mitchell is a bit of a tweener guard, and his 6’2 height may cause some concern. I’m not sure it matters too much, because Mitchell makes up for the height with other strong physical traits.
NBA Draft: Davion Mitchell defensive profile:
- Relentless motor
- Strong, muscular frame at 205lbs
- Terrific anticipation defending P&R, quick hips
- Fast hands that will get up in the shooter’s grill on any jump shot
Davion Mitchell is physical – He embraces contact on the defensive end. Mitchell set the tone for a Baylor team that was one of the top defensive units in the country. He was the leader of the team, and he could step in right away as a lockdown defender in the NBA.
One of the most frequent draft comps for Mitchell is Marcus Smart. Mitchell is shorter and doesn’t have the longest wingspan, so it’s hard to see him being able to effectively defend bigs. However, it’s hard for me to imagine him NOT becoming an elite perimeter defender. The instincts, and most importantly, the athleticism, will translate really well at the next level. He can certainly hang with NBA guards.
Mitchell is a point guard but its’ hard to tell whether or not he would slot in as the starter right away. I think because of his age and experience, it is not too far-fetched to pencil him as a starter on day one, depending on who is on The NY Knicks’ roster of course. Even if he comes off of the bench, that would provide them with a shutdown guard in the 2nd unit, something they don’t currently have.
It’s not just an immediate impact on defense – Davion Mitchell has some serious potential as a ball-handler as well.