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Domantas Sabonis for MVP? NBA Veteran Predicts Double-Double King’s Fate Against Nikola Jokic and More

Published 03/26/2024, 11:19 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Domantas Sabonis continues his spectacular performance for the Sacramento Kings. His 11 points,13 rebounds, and 10 blocks helped the Kings beat the Philadelphia 76ers, continuing his double-double streak to the 54th consecutive game and in the process setting another record since the ABA-NBA merger. Surely the 27-year-old should be considered strongly for the MVP case alongside Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and others, right?

Yet with all the accolades and impressive performance some are not ready for the MVP conversation for Sabonis. And some outright deny having a conversation about his MVP status. In the latest Run It Back episode, Chandler Parsons said “he’s not winning MVP.” His co-host Lou Williams echoed the same sentiment and said,” I don’t think the conversation should be about him.

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Parsons was direct and firm in his stance about conversations on Sabonis. He said, “It ends now. There’s no conversation. He’s not winning MVP.” Williams explained that choosing MVP will lead to comparisons and performance that are helping teams win. Which player has more impact in a winning contribution for their team? Williams feels Sabonis is behind others. So even though he has stats, his chances are slim for winning the MVP.

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Who is currently ahead of Domantas Sabonis for the MVP race?

Lou Williams implied that Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Luka Dončić are miles ahead of Sabonis currently. What he said could be justified with the latest weekly NBA MVP leaderboard where Jokić is currently #1. He is also the odds-on favorite to win the coveted award. Following him closely on the #2 spot and in the odds is the Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He became the 13th player in NBA history to score 30+ points in 50 games in a season. Jokic has already established his dominance by putting up 35+ points with 15+ rebounds in 4 matches this season. And the only player ahead of him is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who did it in 5 matches and is currently 3rd on the leaderboard.

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Dončić average stats are 34.1 PPG, 9 RPG, 9.8 APG, and currently occupies the third spot tied with Antetokounmpo. Jayson Tatum 27.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.9 APG.

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Despite the historic season, Sabonis is getting little respect as an MVP candidate from a few veterans. His All-Star snub this season was a glaring oversight. Will Domantas Sabonis end up becoming the MVP, only time will tell.

Who according to you should be crowned the MVP?

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Written by:

Pranav Kotai

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Pranav Kotai is an NBA beat writer at EssentiallySports. With a master's in sports management and a lifelong passion for basketball, Pranav has an eye for understanding NBA like no other. Pranav is an open encyclopedia of all storylines, with a well-rounded approach to his writing, especially for his favorites like NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.
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Edited by:

Caroline Joseph