NBA’s ‘blind’ shooter makes hilarious plea to Call of Duty
Donovan Mitchell sent out a plea to Call of Duty developers about their matchmaking system after suffering multiple defeats.
Follow Us
Donovan Mitchell calls to Call of Duty developers for matchmaking process
The Cleveland Cavaliers are enjoying a well-deserved break after failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup tournament. With just two games over the past week, the Cavs are prioritizing rest and recovery after a grueling schedule that saw them play 26 games, including five back-to-back. It seems like the person making the most of this break is Cavs star Donovan Mitchell.
For Donovan Mitchell, this downtime definitely gives him time to physically recover, but it also gives him time to indulge in some of his hobbies. One of his favorites is gaming, particularly playing Call of Duty.
However, during one of his recent gaming sessions, Mitchell had to send out an urgent plea to the game’s developers, as he revealed in a post on X.
Aye @CallofDuty idk who yall think I think I am but I don’t need to be in these lobbies with these dudes man… im not like that.
Donovan Mitchell wrote on X
Mitchell joked about the lobbies he was getting matched up with, alluding to the game’s matchmaking engine, which was matching him with opponents much stronger than him. Of course, Mitchell is not a rookie when it comes to Call of Duty. He grew up playing the iconic FPS game, and has had a number of memorable moments in recent history.
Aye @CallofDuty idk who yall think I think I am but I don’t need to be in these lobbies with these dudes man… im not like that??
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 14, 2024
In 2020, when Mitchell was quarantined after testing positive for COVID-19, he opened his own Twitch Channel and would play a game of COD with legendary gamer Ninja. Fellow hooper turned streamer Kyrie Irving also alluded to a story of Donovan Mitchell’s gaming hobby.
In the 2022-23 season, Mitchell dropped a career-high and a franchise record of 71 points over the Bulls. Following his performance, Irving revealed that he knew that Mitchell was ‘locked in’ after competing against him in a Call of Duty matchup the night prior. Mitchell would go on to break Irving’s 57-point record to set the new franchise high points for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sharpshooting Donovan Mitchell’s ‘blinding’ eyesight issues
While Donovan Mitchell dominates on the court and occasionally in the gaming world, his remarkable skillset hides an uncanny secret about the star – he has poor vision. Like, really poor vision. In an episode of The Pivot Podcast, Mitchell revealed that he plays basketball without corrective lenses.
I don’t wear no contacts. It’s crazy because my first year in Cleveland, I wore contacts during the preseason and practice. What I learned was the depth perception: Since everything is so clear, everything looks so close. I was shooting short, airballing all preseason. As soon as I took ’em out, I was good.
Donovan Mitchell explained
Mitchell’s decision to forgo wearing contacts comes from his innate muscle memory. Years of playing without perfect vision have trained his body to adapt to blurred sightlines. He likened his shooting style to LeBron James’ famous anecdote about aiming at “three rims” during high-pressure moments.
I take them off to start shooting because my muscle memory for so many years has been without glasses, without being able to see. So, I tell everybody, I’m like ‘Bron. I’m just shooting at three rims and trying to figure it out.
Donovan Mitchell added
Despite his visual challenges, Donovan Mitchell’s performance has been nothing short of elite. This season, the five-time All-Star is averaging 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, leading the Cavaliers to the best record in the league. The Cavaliers, with Mitchell leading the charge, have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders as well.
Stay Updated!
Armaan Gupta
(324 Articles Published)