Where does Donovan Mitchell rank among the biggest superstars in the league? Well, based on pure talent and skill, he is surely up there with the best. However, CBS Sports doesn’t believe he belongs in the Top 5 players list in the East heading into next season. But Spida claims he “can’t be mad” at being snubbed in such lists because of one glaring shortcoming in his resume!

During a detailed conversation with legend Carmelo Anthony, Mitchell made a bold confession, “Realistically, I look at myself as one of the top 10, top 15 players in this league.” Heading into his 8th season this year, Mitchell has constantly proven that he is one of the most reliable superstars. Be it during his initial years in Utah or now with the Cavs, he has been ‘The Guy’ in every situation.

However, Spida revealed one major reason why he isn’t considered by many among the best: “I haven’t made it to a Conference Finals.” Yes, as great as Donovan is, he’s never made it past the second round of the playoffs. “So, in order for me to make that jump, I can’t sit here and get mad. I can sit here and get mad and use it as fuel, but I can’t get mad at this list cause it’s an accolade-based world we live in. Whether it’s right, wrong, or indifferent. It’s just what it is,” he remarked on Melo’s 7 PM in Brooklyn pod.

And his lack of accolades might have hurt him recently as CBS Sports ranked him the seventh-best player in the East for next season.

Meanwhile, the top five spots were given to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, and Jaylen Brown. Sure enough, four of those five stars are NBA Champions or former MVPs. But Spida has yet to bag either of the accolades. Maybe, Shaquille O’Neal was right about his assessment of Mitchell three years ago.

Can Donovan Mitchell prove Shaq wrong and take that ‘next step’?

While Donovan is realizing how important trophies and accolades are in today’s NBA, he was issued a similar warning by legend Shaquille O’Neal. During a postgame interview on Inside The NBA, while Mitchell was still on the Jazz roster, Shaq made a bold claim right to Spida’s face, saying, “Spida, this is Shaq. I said tonight you are one of my favorite players, but you don’t have what it takes to get to the next level. I said it on purpose. I wanted you to hear it.” Then he even asked Mitchell what he had to say in response.

However, the shooting guard had a short and stern response, “All right. That’s it.” He also talked about being underestimated his entire career, saying, “I’ve been hearing that since my rookie year. I’m just gonna get better and do what I do.” Sure enough, Big Diesel acknowledged Mitchell’s reply and said, “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear you say. Love your game, brother. Keep it up.”

While Donovan has gotten better each season like he claimed and even led the Cavs to the playoffs for the first time since the LeBron era, he needs to at least reach the East finals to be considered in the same tier as superstars like Giannis and Tatum, who have carried their teams to a championship.

Brad Botkin from CBS while ranking the star also justified the same by first giving credit where it was due, for taking total control of the offense in Darius Garland’s absence, further adding, “He is virtually unstoppable when he gets going downhill as a pull-up shooter,” but then pointed out that his stat line had dipped from 48.4% to 46.2% from the field and 38.6% to 36.8% from deep range.

Do you think Mitchell can finally take that leap this season?

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.