How 2019 Rockets helped Donovan Mitchell, Cavs prepare for NBA Playoffs

How 2019 Rockets helped Donovan Mitchell, Cavs prepare for NBA Playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Animosity runs rampant in the NBA Playoffs, but there are special instances where bonds are formed across enemy lines. Back in the 2019 postseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers were still suffering the second departure of LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Donovan Mitchell's Utah Jazz duked it out with James Harden'sHouston Rockets.

A lot has changed since then: the two Western Conference star guards joined the Cavs, and James won a ring for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, one thing did remain a constant after seven years — the mentorship between Harden and Mitchell.

2019 Rockets helped Mitchell, Cavs grow

Let's paint the picture. It was the 2019 first round and the Rockets were an overwhelming favorite to wipe the Jazz out of the NBA Playoffs. James Harden delivered on that expectation and decimated Donovan Mitchell's squad in five games. Mitchell played 39 minutes but only mustered up 12 points because he shot 18% from the field and did not make a single three-pointer.

His future Cavs teammate, Harden, would then approach him and give life-changing advice. Mitchell still vividly remembers that post-game moment in the 2019 NBA Playoffs and lives vicariously through it, via