Donovan Mitchell: Bad At HORSE

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – One week ago, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley ascended to the throne of the trick shot world after beating Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine to claim the NBA HORSE Challenge.

A week to the day after seeing Conley claim the crown, teammate Donovan Mitchell took to Instagram to try to his hand in the art of shooting wizardry.

During the ESPN broadcast last week, Conley showed off both his impressive array of shots and an incredible home gym where he’s spending his time while the league is sidelined.

Behind the backboard ftw!#TeamMike | @espn pic.twitter.com/U2Q4drwVWe

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 17, 2020

Mitchell, appearing in the backyard court of his mom’s home in Connecticut attempted a series of over the head circus shots from what appears to be three-point range. Though Mitchell has been prone to some cold shooting nights, this looked like a particularly tough outing

It didn’t go well.

Mitchell’s first attempt lands on the stairs next to the basket.

Donovan Mitchell: Bad at HORSE pic.twitter.com/mNs502DhSn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 23, 2020

Shot two appeared to have the right distance but missed wide left, again landing on the stairs. It also appeared to hit his mom’s car. No worries, we’ve all done that.

On Mitchell’s third attempt, the guard comes up short. Though, at least this ball bounced back to him, rather thank ricocheting off his mom’s SUV.

Attempt four was by far the closest, as Mitchell’s heave hits the rim and the backboard before rimming out. Even the third-year guard seemed to think it had a chance to drop.

As one should, Mitchell saved his worst attempt for last, skying this final over the head heave well into the neighbors’ yard. 

Finally, Mitchell settles for a far simpler floater, a shot he’s worked on adding to his game, though it’s fair to question if that rim his regulation height.

The good news for Jazz fans is that Mitchell has access to a hoop, a convenience not every NBA player shares while the league remains sidelined due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While the All-Star guard might struggle shooting outdoors, he’s hit more than his fair share of trick shots in a Jazz uniform.

WHAT?!?!?!#TakeNote #KiaROY pic.twitter.com/Anc2WGhuE0

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) March 11, 2018

If you think that’s not good enough to earn your opponent a letter (hint: it is), then you can always go back to this old reliable circus shot.

Michael Jordan made it famous against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals, though in retrospect is anyone sure why MJ reversed hands for the finish? He probably could have dunked it outright.

Here, Mitchell rips off Jordan, but actually had a reason to change hands midair. HORSE champion Conley probably couldn’t even do this.

Don't hurt 'em, Donnie.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/v15oQ2XHid

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) March 16, 2018