Since arriving in the NBA in 2017 in the colours of the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell has not averaged less than 20 points. It's a testament to his talent, but above all, it's a testament to his status as a leader and scorer who can carry his team.
After having success with Utah in 2021, but falling apart in the playoffs, he was supposed to turn a corner by joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. Three years later, the team has become a contender among the biggest powers in the East.
But for the time being, it lacks one essential milestone - reaching the conference finals.
That's where Spida comes in.
A war machine in the playoffs, this is where he is at his most efficient, having averaged close to 30 points for two postseason campaigns in a row.
Last season alone, for example, he peaked with 48 points in a loss to the Pacers during the playoffs. But that wasn't enough: his desire to carry his team ended up backfiring each time (remember that with the Jazz, he ended up losing a playoff series in which he averaged 36.3 points).
He's a star, that's for sure. He's an elite scorer, nothing new there. But what separates the stars from the superstars is very thin: an ability to adapt his game to the situation, and not to want to play the saviour every night in the playoffs.
In his ninth season in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell belongs in the elite, but as long as he doesn't have this detail in his favour, there will be a few regrets. Spida's leadership will be closely watched: will he take those final steps?
Stats 2024/2025: 24.0 points per game (29.6 in playoffs), 5.0 assists per game, 36.8% three-point percentage
Rational goal: 28.0 points per game, 40% three-point percentage, Eastern Conference Finals, All-NBA First Team candidate