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Nuotr .: AFP – Scanpix
Nuotr. AFP – Scanpix
Domantas Sabonis failed to be among the best basketball players in the NBA for the second year in a row and this year we will not be present at the “All Stars” event in Lithuania.
The Eastern Conference reserve basketball players included James Harden (Brooklyn Nets), Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown (both Boston Celtics), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers). ) and Nikola Vučevičius (Orlando). Magic).
It is Vučevičius who is the first and most serious candidate to turn his eyes to in search of a man who could have taken a place for Sabonis.
The Montenegrin is playing the best season of his career so far and records statistics of 23.9 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
However, Sabonis has also taken a step up from last season and is also playing the most successful season of his career, averaging 21.5 points, 11.6 grabs and 5.7 assists per pass.
These numbers allowed Sabonis to become the first basketball player in NBA history, who did not receive an invitation to the All-Star game by collecting at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
There are four basketball players recording this number this season: Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokičius and Julius Randle. All except Lithuania entered the “All Stars” match, and Antetokounmpo and Jokičius will start the prestigious match in the starting five.
Even before the announcement of all the participants of the “All Stars” match, Sabonis’ step forward was highlighted by Lithuanian team friend Malcolmas Brogdonas.
“Domas hit last year and his productivity has grown even more this season.” I think that’s what All Star contestants and great basketball players do, “Brogdon told Scott Agness of Fieldhousefiles.
Although Vučevičius’ performance is slightly better than Sabonis, the Magic leader also has more opportunities to attack (average of 20 shots against Sabonis 15.5). The Pacers’ assistant also attacks from the game with a higher percentage: 52.8 percent. against Vučevičius 47.9 percent.
The 30-year-old Montenegrin has accumulated three triple-doubles throughout his career, when Sabonis recorded both in the season alone, including the best performance of his career, when he scored 36 points, bounced 17 balls and gave 10 assists in a duel with the Minnesota. Timberwolves.
This season, the Lithuanian also posted 23 double-doubles, the second in the entire league. Of the first six basketball players (including Vučevičius), according to this indicator, the Lithuanian is the only one who has not received an invitation to the All Star match.
Even looking at the only matchup this season, Sabonis won it. In the game with Magic, Sabonis scored 18 points (6/8 doubles, 1/5 trit., 3/4 penalty), bounced 11 balls, made 9 assists and snatched extra time in which the Pacers won 120 games: 118 .
Although Vučevičius scored 24 points, this time he realized a total of 6 points from two points out of 20, 4 points out of three points out of 9 and added 12 balls caught.
The votes cast by the coaches are not made public, but it can be assumed that a tenacious fight broke out between Sabonis and Vučevičius. In this case, it is worth looking at the results of the team, which, again, are on the side of Sabonis.
With 15 wins and 14 losses, the Pacers are fourth in the Eastern Conference, with Magic earning 13 wins, 19 misses and 12th place.
The Indiana team also continues to play without TJ Warren and trade winner Caris LeVert, which is why Sabonis is one of the main reasons the Pacers rank so high.
The Magic led by Vučevičius have only been in the playoffs for the last two seasons and everything is on track for this Orlando team’s series to end this season.
It is Vučevičius who would like to exchange Domantas ‘brother and one of Kaunas’ coaches “Žalgiris” Tautvydas in the “All Stars” match with Sabonis.
“I do not want to be disrespectful, because he is playing well this season, but in no way could Nikola Vučevičius take Sabonis’s place in the All-Star Game,” T. Sabonis reacted on Twitter. – I know I’m biased. “Pacers” is in fourth place, “Magic” is 12. Domas is second in double-doubles and third in triple-doubles among tall people, second only to Jokičis and Giannis. “
Yes, it can be said that Sabonis’s game is not effective and we will not see the moments created by him in each series of the most beautiful episodes, but the same can be said for Vučevičius.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal also expressed his condolences to Sabonis, who had added Lithuania to his roster of reserve basketball players.
“I sincerely sympathize with Sabonis because he plays incredible basketball,” Shaq said. – It looks great, it plays physically. I heard that he is one of the strongest men in the NBA and I like the way he plays. “
Looking at other last names, Julius Randle can be pointed out, but the New York Knicks are serious about getting back into the top eight after a nightmarish drought, and Randle is the main reason for that. Not only that, the size of the state of the Knicks and Pacers in the NBA context is barely comparable, which can also influence decision-making.
It may be questionable whether the Boston Celtics, who are in fifth place and have been losing thus far, deserve two backup basketball players, but that decision was made by all the head coaches, so they can see better.
Adding Sabonis and Vučevičius to our side, we get a very similar player profile. Central forwards in Europe, who play for clubs with a relatively small market, have similar statistical averages and style of play, but after close analysis, most of the team’s numbers and results are on Sabonis’ side.
So to quote Myles Turner, make that choice seem logical.
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