Los Angeles • Everyone knows how this is supposed to go: You dunk. You shoot 3s. You don’t play defense. You hunt for your own shots — not for other people.
Donovan Mitchell knows exhibitions like Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge aren’t necessarily for showcasing a complete game. But he disregarded the unwritten rules.
While his statistical night didn’t pop compared to his rookie and sophomore peers as his Team USA lost to Team World 155-124, he made a fairly compelling case on his last play. It came off a steal on an inbounds pass with 20 seconds left. He flipped the ball behind him to a soaring John Collins, who slammed it home.
This much was true at Staples Center, as it’s been for his whole rookie season: Mitchell just doesn’t play like everyone else.
“I understand that in games like this, guys are trying to score 40,” Mitchell said. “I’m not one of those guys. I got five steals. I was pretty proud of that.”
Mitchell, who leads all rookies in scoring this season (19.6 points per game), finished with seven points, seven assists and five steals to go with just 10 shot attempts. He did allow himself one indulgence: a first-half alley-oop off the backboard to himself.
On the other hand, Kyle Kuzma — the other rookie with Utah ties who has been starring for the hometown Los Angeles Lakers — got his for the crowd. He finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, taking 18 shots in about 19 minutes despite playing his third game in as many nights.
U.S. Team's Kyle Kuzma, left, shoots as World Team's Domantas Sabonis, of the Indiana Pacers, defends during the NBA All-Star Rising Stars basketball game, Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The former Utah Utes star and the Jazz rookie may have played with different styles, but it was all part of the plan. Earlier in the day, Mitchell had told Kuzma that as teammates on Team USA that he would feed him as much as possible.
“I know he likes to get ’em up in Utah,” Kuzma said. “But he said this is my city, and he’s just gonna chill out a little bit tonight.”
The two players — one leaving Utah just as the other arrived — have been friends since the draft process. After he was drafted by the Jazz, Mitchell hit up Kuzma to learn more about the state. He was turned on to Park Cafe and the Copper Onion, among other local eateries, by Kuzma.
“He’s a great guy and a talented scorer,” Mitchell said. “He’s doing so much for his team as a rookie, and he has so much to improve on. It’s pretty cool, and every time he comes back home to Utah, we hang out.”
That next time is April 3 — Kuzma said “can’t wait to go back.” The Park Cafe might need to get a table for two ready.
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