By now, it seems that nothing can slow down Domantas Sabonis. Being sick and having to go up against 7’4” shot-blocking rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama is not a pleasant experience. Sabonis was not fazed, however, and recorded yet another triple-double.
It was his nineteenth of the season, and with that, he is now three triple-doubles ahead of reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. He has also already recorded 51 double-doubles, including 38 consecutive ones. Sabonis is having an amazing season and should be mentioned with the best centers in the game right now.
De’Aaron Fox wants Sabonis to be recognized in the MVP conversation
After last night’s game, De’Aaron Fox was asked about Sabonis’ performance and availability and made a bold statement concerning his teammate’s position on the MVP ladder.
“That’s what you want out of somebody who is one of the best players in the league and should be an MVP candidate,” he said, “I don’t know how many of those guys haven’t missed a game yet, but he’s definitely up there.”
In the latest MVP Power Rankings, Sabonis is tied for sixth place with Kawhi Leonard behind Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum.
Fox has a point that none of these players have played every game, but they have been very available. None of the top candidates have even missed more than 10 games so far. Availability is not Sabonis’ only asset, however. He is making winning plays all over the court, even if his defense is not the greatest, and putting up huge numbers.
Nevertheless, he is merely a second thought when most people in and around the NBA are talking about the best players in the game right now. He is the only player in the top ten of the NBA’s MVP Power Rankings not named an All-Star this season. The All-Star conversation is getting a little old by now, but it is the latest instance in a theme of disrespecting Domantas Sabonis.
Mike Brown also addressed that after last night’s game, saying that his big man doesn’t get enough credit for what he is doing. This is not to say that Sabonis should win the MVP award this season—he definitely does not have a better case than Jokic or Gilgeous-Alexander—but it would be nice to see him get his flowers every once in a while.
Offensive production has surged lately, and Sabonis is not scoring 60 points, but he has put up numbers we haven’t seen since Wilt Chamberlain this season and does so much more than just score. Being a constant triple-double threat is not an easy thing to do in this league.