Ahead of the new season, members of the Cleveland Cavaliers took some time to connect with fans in a fun “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session on Reddit. Players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen answered questions about their careers, team relationships, and life off the court, giving fans a closer look at their personalities and mindsets.
🤝 Teammate Bonds and First Meetings
💬 The players shared some interesting stories about how far back their connections go. Donovan Mitchell revealed that his history with new teammate Thomas Bryant started when they were just nine years old, playing against each other in youth basketball. He also recalled playing pickup basketball with a high-school-aged Evan Mobley and his brother, immediately recognizing that Evan was “gonna be special.” When asked who the funniest teammate is, Mitchell jokingly nominated himself, while Thomas Bryant gave the title to either Mitchell or Larry Nance Jr., noting that Nance was his mentor when he was a rookie.
🏀 On-Court Focus and Game Philosophy
🧠 On a more serious note, the players offered insights into their professional mindset. Reflecting on a tough playoff loss to Indiana, Donovan Mitchell stressed the importance of persistence. “You just gotta keep plugging,” he said. “There’s always gonna be another hurdle you gotta conquer.” Darius Garland shared that he has been working hard on his mid-range game and shooting threes off the dribble this offseason. When it comes to high-pressure moments, both Garland and Mitchell agreed it’s about finding a balance. Garland focuses on time and score to make the right play, while Mitchell trusts his instincts, explaining, “Sometimes the right play is shooting, sometimes the right play is passing. But you trust your gut.”
😄 Off-Court Life and Personal Tidbits
😎 Fans also got a peek into the players’ lives outside of basketball. Jarrett Allen shared a memorable story from his honeymoon safari in Africa, where he witnessed a lion chase down a buffalo. When asked which teammate he’d want in a “Hunger Games” scenario, Max Strus chose Donovan Mitchell, calling him “strong as an ox.” The team also weighed in on their all-time favorite Cavaliers jerseys and guessed that Dean Wade might be the best cook on the team. To top it off, fans learned about Darius Garland’s go-to fast-food order and even the brand of hair conditioner Max Strus uses.
