The Best of the Day: February 23rd, 2021

DOMANTAS SABONIS IS THE MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE NBA

Once the NBA revealed the final reserves for the 2021 All-Star game, all the attention immediately went toward which players missed the cut (as always). While there wasn’t an all-time snub this time like Bradley Beal last year, Domantas Sabonis being left off the list was still unprecedented. He’s the first player in NBA history to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists to not make the All-Star team. 

This isn’t the first time Sabonis has been overlooked and it likely won’t be the last. Playing in a small-market like Indiana has forced Sabonis’ greatness to go under the radar on a national scale but Pacers fans have become well accustomed to his phenomenal performances. Just by looking at the 2020-21 NBA Top Performers, it can be understood how consistently effective the Pacers PF has been this year. 

He’s a triple-double threat on a nightly basis as one of the few Bigs in the league who’s a true facilitator from the post, has expanded his game beyond the 3-point line this year, and is one of the best rebounders in the league. The 24-year-old is one of the most well-rounded Big Men in the NBA and has improved his production across the board from last year, yet he didn’t earn a second consecutive All-Star appearance for some reason despite elevating his game.

While it’s easy to point out which players SHOULD’VE made the All-Star Team, many times people leave out who they should’ve made it over. With no position limit in place for the reserves like there is for starters, Sabonis could’ve easily made it over G Ben Simmons or G/F Jaylen Brown, who both lack the resume Sabonis has this season. However, Simmons and Brown play in large markets and get credited for their All-Defense, which is the only subpar aspect of Sabonis’ game.

Considering the Gonzaga product has only been in the league for five years, he has plenty of time to turn the narrative around and become more of a household name. Paul George and Reggie Miller were both able to garner the respect of being a top-tier player in Indiana, a state known for hoops. Sabonis was acquired (with Victor Oladipo) for PG13 a few years ago and has developed into a perennial All-Star caliber player who, along with Devin Booker, can now be considered the most underrated player in the NBA.

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Domantas Sabonis is the first player in NBA history to average 20/10/5 and not make the All-Star team.

(Submitted by @Hoop_statistics) pic.twitter.com/3xFv6zi8QB

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 24, 2021

Domantas Sabonis is averaging 21.5 PPG and 11.6 RPG this season to go along with 23 double-doubles, which is the 2nd most in the NBA. Out of the top 6 players with the most double-doubles, Sabonis is the only one who was not selected as an All-Star pic.twitter.com/aDMjAhPl3n

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 24, 2021

Domantas Sabonis is snubbed.

21.5 PPG
11.6 RPG
5.7 APG
53/36/71%

He’s one of only 3 players averaging 20/10/5 on 50% shooting this season (Jokic, Giannis). pic.twitter.com/wYOJYtxme4

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 23, 2021

Domantas Sabonis vs. Ben Simmons this season:

- Sabonis: 21.5 PPG - 11.6 RPG - 5.7 APG - 1.0 SPG - 52 FG%

- Simmons: 15.7 PPG - 8.3 RPG - 7.9 APG - 1.7 SPG - 57 FG%

Was Sabonis snubbed? 🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/KyUGVtmFvm

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 24, 2021

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day