{"id":92703,"date":"2024-08-29T13:39:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T17:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=92703"},"modified":"2024-09-01T23:34:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T03:34:27","slug":"top-25-nba-players-2024-25-no-24-domantas-sabonis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/29\/top-25-nba-players-2024-25-no-24-domantas-sabonis\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 24 &#8211; Domantas Sabonis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuing with our ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/28\/top-25-nba-players-2024-25-no-25-kyrie-irving\/#:~:text=Player%20rankings%20are%20a%20favorite,Dallas%20Mavericks%20guard%20Kyrie%20Irving.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">top 25<\/a> rankings we arrive at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sabondo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-29_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Domantas Sabonis<\/a>. He is an all-around big man who is incredibly impactful offensively. Let\u2019s dive into Sabonis\u2019 game and spot within the NBA hierarchy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 24 &#8211; Domantas Sabonis<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>A Well-Rounded Big Man<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/28\/netflix-new-series-starting-5-will-feature-nba-superstar-lebron-others\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Sabonis<\/a> is one of the most well-rounded and impactful big men in the league. As an elite rebounder, passer and interior scorer Sabonis offers a ton of value. Sabonis is arguably the league\u2019s best rebounder and is certainly the league\u2019s second-best passing big man behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokicni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-29_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Jokic<\/a>. In many ways Sabonis is mini-Jokic. This skill set allows Sabonis to operate as an offensive hub for the Kings and makes him a double-double machine. Additionally, Sabonis is arguably the best screener in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Sabonis is one of the league\u2019s most complete offensive players he leaves a lot to be desired defensively. Sabonis is not one of the league\u2019s worst defenders like many of his critics suggest, however, he is below average on that end of the floor. Rebounding and physical play allows Sabonis to make a solid impact but his lack of athleticism and mobility will always hold him back. On\/off numbers show that the Kings are 7.4 points better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/team\/1610612758\/onoffcourt-summary?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=OFF_DEF_RATING\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">defensively<\/a> with Sabonis off the court. Nevertheless, Sabonis\u2019 offensive impact is undeniable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Is there a player with a larger disconnect between his stats &amp; general perception than Domantas Sabonis?<\/p>\n<p>20.1 PPG<br \/>\n65.4 TS%<br \/>\n13.5 RPG<br \/>\n8.4 APG<\/p>\n<p>Leads the NBA in triple-doubles. 2nd to Jokic in touches per game at 92.7, but 55th is overall in time of possession (Jokic 39th) <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lnRC5oeGmg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/lnRC5oeGmg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NBA University (@NBA_University) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA_University\/status\/1768129261649506585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 14, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Season Recap\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Kings had a stellar 2022-23 season where they made the playoffs as a top-three seed. Despite winning just two fewer games they took a step back and missed the playoffs this past season losing to the Pelicans in the play-in tournament. Nevertheless, Sabonis had a stellar individual season. He posted averages of 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. An absurdly well-rounded statline to say the least.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">With tonight&#8217;s double-double, Domantas Sabonis passes Kevin Love for the longest double-double streak since 1976-77 \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n<p>Sabonis: 54 games (12\/2\/2023-ongoing)<br \/>\nLove: 53 games (11\/22\/2010 to 3\/11\/2011) <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/e8ZAqFDc8L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/e8ZAqFDc8L<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NBA History (@NBAHistory) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBAHistory\/status\/1772491348853047737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 26, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notably, Sabonis\u2019 13.7 rebounds led the league and he recorded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/39911469\/sabonis-double-double-streak-ends-61-kings-loss\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">61<\/a> straight <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/26\/kings-linchpin-sets-post-merger-double-doubles-record-domantas-sabonis\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">double-doubles<\/a> which was a post-merger record. Sabonis\u2019 77 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask?q=player+with+most+double+doubles+2023-24\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">double-doubles<\/a> and 26<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask?q=player+with+most+triple+doubles+2023-24\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> triple-doubles<\/a> lead the league. Furthermore, Sabonis led the league with 6.0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/players\/hustle?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;dir=D&amp;sort=SCREEN_ASSISTS\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">screen assists<\/a> and 14.1 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/players\/hustle?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;dir=D&amp;sort=SCREEN_AST_PTS\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">screen assist points<\/a>. Impressively Sabonis also ranked seventh in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/leagues\/NBA_2024_advanced.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> box-plus-minus<\/a>. Sabonis\u2019 extreme consistency as an interior scorer, bruising rebound, and playmaker stood out in an otherwise shaky season for the Kings. Despite being snubbed from the All-Star team Sabonis managed to All-NBA third team for the second straight season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Season Outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the Kings&#8217; major <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/31\/grading-every-western-conference-teams-offseason\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">offseason<\/a> addition of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/derozde01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-29_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeMar DeRozan<\/a>, Sabonis&#8217; role is intriguing. It\u2019s unclear if Sabonis will be as much of an offensive hub or if <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/foxde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">De\u2019Aaron Fox <\/a>and DeRozan will be used more as isolation scorers. My guess is Sabonis will continue to be used as a primary offensive hub due to his elite playmaking. However, Sabonis will be used even more as a screener which will open up more opportunities for Fox and DeRozan both on and off the ball even with a steady diet of isos from both players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many are concerned with the floor spacing after the Kings added DeRozan Sabonis\u2019 connective playmaking the overall offensive talent of all three could allow the trio to work. If this trio can fit together the Kings offense could return to a top-five level which would help secure a spot in the playoffs. Many are also concerned about the defense with this pairing as a result Sabonis stepping up his defense would greatly benefit Sacramento. Overall, Sabonis\u2019 all-around responsibilities will never be more important while his scoring will be less of a priority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Last Word\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sabonis is difficult to rank his eye-popping stats make him seem like a top-15 level player. However, he is an unproven playoff performer who notably had a disastrous series against the Warriors in 2023 all while being a below-average defender. If the Kings make the playoffs Sabonis will have to show his game can translate to playoff success. Sabonis will never be a number-one option on a championship-level team but he could be an elite complementary star and move up the rankings quite a bit. Regardless it will start with a productive playoff run from Domas this year. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Continuing with our ongoing top 25 rankings we arrive at Domantas Sabonis. He is an all-around big man who is incredibly impactful offensively. Let\u2019s dive into Sabonis\u2019 game and spot within the NBA hierarchy.\u00a0 Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 24 &#8211; Domantas Sabonis A Well-Rounded Big Man Sabonis is one of the most well-rounded [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4779,"featured_media":93291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,29],"tags":[1102,5031,49488],"class_list":["post-92703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-kings","tag-domantas-sabonis","tag-nba-player-rankings","tag-top-25-nba-players-2024-25"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92703"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92703\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/93291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}