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SALT LAKE CITY — Now that most of the evidence has been presented, Dennis Lindsey and the Utah Jazz organization can assuredly reach a unanimous verdict.
Donovan Mitchell needs more help.
Any time he gets it, as he did in the impressive playoff win over the Houston Rockets on Monday, the Jazz are an excellent basketball team.
Concluding his second season, Mitchell is a burgeoning superstar capable of leading an NBA franchise to great success. But, like every elite player, he can’t do it alone.
Mitchell was at his best in the Jazz win in Game 4, scoring 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter. For the first time in the series, which Houston leads 3-1, several other Jazz players were significant contributors.
“We had guys step up and make plays at both ends of the floor,” said coach Quin Snyder.
In marketing the team the past two seasons, the Jazz have pushed the team concept. Players and management have repeated the phrase “the strength of the team is the team,” and the catchy slogan has appeared in various ways on social media.
But stars are the difference makers in the NBA. More stars equal greater success and can lead to championships.
The last three seasons have proven the Jazz are capable of competing well with most teams in the league. After winning a playoff series in each of the two prior seasons, the Jazz won 50 games during the regular season this year.
Now the goal is to reach another level by competing with the Western Conference elite teams. As it is, assuming they don’t become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit, the Jazz struggle against the Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Over the last three years the Jazz are 2-11 against those two teams in the postseason.
Recording 50-win seasons, which the Jazz have done three times in the last 10 seasons, are nice but is not satisfying enough over time. The Jazz and their fans, like everybody else, want more.
To that end, it is time to improve the roster. Lindsey’s mission as general manager is clear — the Jazz need more shooting. Great teams have at least two consistent scorers.
“The deepest teams are the best teams in the playoffs,” center Rudy Gobert after the Game 4 win.
In any given game, the Jazz have several players capable of playing second fiddle to Mitchell. But none are consistent enough in playing off Mitchell, like each of the four teams that finished ahead of the Jazz in the Western Conference this season can claim.
Mitchell tied for 14th in scoring this season, averaging 23.8 points a game. But no other Jazz player averaged at least 16 points a game.
“The way he carried the team is unbelievable,” guard Ricky Rubio said after the playoff game Monday.
For good reason, a host of Jazz players have heaped lavish praise on Mitchell this season. Rubio labeled Mitchell as the most humble star he’s seen during his time as a professional basketball player.
Veteran Kyle Korver articulated it best after the Jazz suffered a close loss in Game 3 that saw Mitchell miss a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. Korver said the missed shot will be a footnote in Mitchell’s career.
“I have never been around a young player like Donovan Mitchell,” Korver said. "I have never seen someone so young take ownership of a team, take ownership of his play, do it with charisma, do it with class. Never seen that in my 16 years in the NBA.”
For his part, the 22-year-old turned all the praise back to his teammates. Most teams, he noted, are not led by such a young player.
“When you have that support system in the locker room it makes it easier,” Mitchell said. “To have your teammates have your back through the ups and downs, it means the world.”
