Why doesn't Dillon Mitchell drive to the hoop more often?

[Alleyoopster]

During this preseason and Summer League games we've seen Dillon successfully drive the down the center of the lane multiple times. He's a dynamic slasher --- especially when he starts from near the foul lane.

What baffles me is why, when he gets the ball in the corner, he often takes a couple dribbles toward the lane, then passes it off to someone at the 3-point line? Sometimes, that makes sense.

However, because of his quickness and length, he's often a half a step ahead of his defender when he makes this drive. All he has to do is take another step and he's in the middle of the lane. There, his offensive options increase.

If he continued his dribble, the opposing center would need come out and challenge him. This might leave someone open, either underneath or near the foul line --- as someone else might try to intervene. He could also try to score. Even if he was unsuccessful there would be someone there to grab the rebound because of the attention he might get. (I'm sure there are other options I haven't thought of.)

I say this because I saw the Celtics make the same mistake with Aaron Nesmith. They kept him in the corner or outside the 3-pont line 90% of the time. They expected him to either make passes or shoot 3-pointers. All the time he was here I kept saying to myself, he's great at driving to the hoop. Why doesn't the coach have him doing a lot more of that?

When he was traded to Indiana that was the first thing they had him do --- drive to the hoop more. Now, he's become a double threat, one from the outside and the other driving to the basket.

The other thing I wish the coaches would do is give him the green light to cheat off his man more often. With his long arm and quickness, he would likely give opposing ball handlers nightmares in double teams. (Of course, during these double teams, his teammates would have to make sure to cut off likely passing lanes - much like playing a trapping zone defense.) He might get burned from time to time doing this. Nonetheless, his role would be to make the opposition's offense more tentative and less confident. 

I believe it might have been the Atlanta game where I saw him double team a player above the top of the key. He kept poking at the ball from in close. That player looked like he was in a Waring blender. He was totally flustered. He eventually recovered the ball. By then, Dillon went back to guarding his man.

His NBA draft profiles mentioned his possible NBA role might be as an interrupter. I believe the coaching staff and Dillon should explore that avenue.

[Vermont Green]

I thought Dillion Mitchell looked pretty good in summer league.  I didn't actually watch any of the preseason games, but in 64 minutes, he put up some pretty good preseason numbers for a rookie second round pick.  He is just focusing on defense and rebounding at this point, and trying to fit in.  If he keeps playing well, not making mistakes, he will continue to get chances and I think you will see him get more comfortable driving to the hoop or otherwise being more assertive on offense.  I think he is smart to not try to do too much at this point.

[Csfan1984]

Felt a bunch of players struggled this preseason at times including the Starters. Everyone has to build a rhythm and get chemistry with team mates. Summer league was much more of pick up game format so it's easier to just play and score as defense is more one on one and team plays are free.