DOMANTAS “NBA Malpractice” SABONIS

megapoxy said:
33/87 (37.9%) last season
39/85 (45.9%) the current one
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It's so encouraging that he has risen to the challenge and is really leaning into taking the 3 point shot. There have been multiple times in the past two weeks where he hasn't hesitated when he's open and the shot is so pure. The cool thing is that either he will keep having open 3's, or defenses will start to challenge him and it will open another part of his driving/playmaking game. I'm excited to see that development.

On top of the 3 point shot, he has improved his FT this season to 78% from 70% last year (74% each of the last two seasons before).

I love watching guys improve their game
 
chief bromden said:
It's so encouraging that he has risen to the challenge and is really leaning into taking the 3 point shot. There have been multiple times in the past two weeks where he hasn't hesitated when he's open and the shot is so pure. The cool thing is that either he will keep having open 3's, or defenses will start to challenge him and it will open another part of his driving/playmaking game. I'm excited to see that development.

On top of the 3 point shot, he has improved his FT this season to 78% from 70% last year (74% each of the last two seasons before).

I love watching guys improve their game
Click to expand...

It definitely feels like Christie is asking both Domas and DeMarr to take more threes. One obvious improvement during this winning streak has been better spacing on offense.
 
chief bromden said:
It's so encouraging that he has risen to the challenge and is really leaning into taking the 3 point shot. There have been multiple times in the past two weeks where he hasn't hesitated when he's open and the shot is so pure. The cool thing is that either he will keep having open 3's, or defenses will start to challenge him and it will open another part of his driving/playmaking game. I'm excited to see that development.

On top of the 3 point shot, he has improved his FT this season to 78% from 70% last year (74% each of the last two seasons before).

I love watching guys improve their game
Click to expand...

Some crow eaters out there were big on the “Domas shouldn’t shoot more threes” tip. He should because he’s good at it. He’s a legit 3-level scorer and playmaker.
 
midtowner said:
Some crow eaters out there were big on the “Domas shouldn’t shoot more threes” tip. He should because he’s good at it. He’s a legit 3-level scorer and playmaker.
Click to expand...

Right now teams are still basically dating him to shoot it and he generally has plenty of time to line it up.

If he keeps hitting at this rate teams will start closing harder on him. The next adjustment for Domas will be to speed up his release and/or attacking closeouts with his dribble.
 
True King.
Domas loves the game. He is passionate about it. I'm watching since he was 15 years old ugly duckling. Couldn't hit a free throw. Nothing much in the paint. Except one thing. Rebounding. Undersized, but big bones with nasty meat. In the early years it looked like most of his rebounds, especially on the offense, he just "willed in".
I watched lots of Gonzaga games, some Thunder's, maybe 90% of Pacers games.
No need for me to write a book. Domas always worked like a maniac on the areas of basketball game where he needed to improve. Before this season it was a bit of gain and loss. If he got much better in a new aspect of his game during the summer or working in the gym way past the midnight (moves in the paint, free throw shooting, long ball, learning to use right hand, dribbling, midrange...), the things that he used to do very well before the upgrade in other parts, would decline a bit. Now we see him peaking. Everything that he trained hard on has molded into one wholesome. Yet, the drive for the game is the same. Just now in the grown-mans body. Exceptionally strong, just ripped. Fast, quick, explosive. Very well coordinated.

Currently, once again - leads the league in rebounds (14.2 per game), double-doubles (33).
Top 10 in FG%, minutes played.
Leads Kings in assists.

DOMAS SHARES 2nd - 3rd PLACE IN NBA IN 3PT% with Luke Kennard, both at 45.9%.

I think we all can agree that he is a type of player that strong teams are built around. Coaches know what they have, players love to be around him. Never has a game-off. Damn, even a possession off is hard to remember quick.

No need to talk about the last game. Just treasure it ;) And all was done with ZERO trips to the line :)

Sure, I loved for the Kings to have 0-0 record instead of very dangerous 19-19. Yet, as of now, we look at the next 44 games with completely different expectations. Will we win or lose? Final whistle will tell. But Kings will fight.
 
bball_nomad said:
True King.
Domas loves the game. He is passionate about it. I'm watching since he was 15 years old ugly duckling. Couldn't hit a free throw. Nothing much in the paint. Except one thing. Rebounding. Undersized, but big bones with nasty meat. In the early years it looked like most of his rebounds, especially on the offense, he just "willed in".
I watched lots of Gonzaga games, some Thunder's, maybe 90% of Pacers games.
No need for me to write a book. Domas always worked like a maniac on the areas of basketball game where he needed to improve. Before this season it was a bit of gain and loss. If he got much better in a new aspect of his game during the summer or working in the gym way past the midnight (moves in the paint, free throw shooting, long ball, learning to use right hand, dribbling, midrange...), the things that he used to do very well before the upgrade in other parts, would decline a bit. Now we see him peaking. Everything that he trained hard on has molded into one wholesome. Yet, the drive for the game is the same. Just now in the grown-mans body. Exceptionally strong, just ripped. Fast, quick, explosive. Very well coordinated.

Currently, once again - leads the league in rebounds (14.2 per game), double-doubles (33).
Top 10 in FG%, minutes played.
Leads Kings in assists.

DOMAS SHARES 2nd - 3rd PLACE IN NBA IN 3PT% with Luke Kennard, both at 45.9%.

I think we all can agree that he is a type of player that strong teams are built around. Coaches know what they have, players love to be around him. Never has a game-off. Damn, even a possession off is hard to remember quick.

No need to talk about the last game. Just treasure it ;) And all was done with ZERO trips to the line :)

Sure, I loved for the Kings to have 0-0 record instead of very dangerous 19-19. Yet, as of now, we look at the next 44 games with completely different expectations. Will we win or lose? Final whistle will tell. But Kings will fight.
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He's the most consistent player on the roster in REB, AST, PT, and the biggest cheerleader, the glue guy —the list goes on. It amazes me that, although he's undersized for a center, he's like a bull in a China shop under the basket, not in a clumsy way but wreaking havoc by imposing his will on his sheer strength.
 
bball_nomad said:
Domas after Bucks game has the best 3PT% in the NBA at 47.2. Overtook Joker who is at 47.1 now. Well, I guess Domas needs to start hitting free throws at around 90%, but he just can't practice them in the game ;)
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Sabonis really needs to be putting up 4-5 3-pointers per game. Even if his % drops to 38-40%, he would be a weapon that opens everyone else up.
 
I'm a numberphile. Numbers are just numbers. No emotions or feelings. So, just bear with me :)
Let's start with the fun.
After 1 made three in one attempt, Domas currently leads NBA at 47.8% per season. Actually, I was peaking in his percentages all season long, he just didn't have enough makes to qualify officially for the rankings. Though he was in the top 10 3PT% wise all season long.
In last 5 games Domas is 9-11 from the distance (nutz). 15-21 from the line (go figure ;) ).
In last 7 games Domas is 13-19 on threes, 18-25 from the line.
This month, in 8 games, he is 13-19 on threes, 19-27 from the line with 33 personal fouls. That's 4.125 called foul on Domas with 3.375 FTAs. Go figure :) Zero trips to the line in Boston game.... LMAO :) :) :)
BTW, TNT talking arses didn't pay attention that Domas leads NBA in 3 PT%, did they? Leading in rebounds and double-doubles is natural but come on. just add some spice to your bs blabbering :)
Part 1 is done :)
 
bball_nomad said:
BTW, TNT talking arses didn't pay attention that Domas leads NBA in 3 PT%, did they? Leading in rebounds and double-doubles is natural but come on. just add some spice to your bs blabbering :)
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Surprisingly, TNT did actually mention the fact Domas leads the league in 3 pt shooting. They said he should be shooting the 3 more ;)
 
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OK, part 2. Three point shooting and FTAs per game.
First year with Gonzaga Bulldogs, Domas didn't make and didn't take single long shot. Maybe launched one, but that's questionable. He would go to the line a lot, but his percentages then were around mid 60's. Naturally, for the defenses it was a lesser evil to foul Domas than not.
Second year in Gonzaga Domas became a starter. Had some crazy games. Like 35 points, 15 rebounds, 5+ assist. Or some kind of different combination. He elevated his FT% to 77+% - result of hard core summer sweating in the gym. Maybe he made one long shot or maybe two. But no more than 2 makes for sure.
Gonzaga lost to Syracuse 60-63. Domas had a very good game despite orange guys triple teaming him non-stop. It was an elite-8 game. Gonzaga had a solid lead in the second half, but at some point shooters just stop hitting anything. Result - no Final 4 for Domas. Sad ending, tbh :(

First rookie season with the Thunder, Domas was asked by Donovan to start and be a stretch big, alongside Steve Adams. He began taking long shots and actually was the best in Thunder in 3PT% department before Taj Gibson trade. His 3PT% was around 42% (like from game ~10 to the game 50+). Domas was benched. Took less long shots than before and made even less. One season with the Thunder. Small, but good sample. Terror in the paint was asked to do something that was alien to him, but he handled it.
Domas ended up as a throw in PG - Oladipo trade. "Pacers got robbed!!!" - sounds familiar ;)
At first, Domas would come off the bench. Terror in the paint. His foot work, fakes in the paint were elite. Pacers fans pretty quick were eagerly awaiting for Domas to enter the game in place of Myles. Myles was tall, long, but "anti-physical". We know Domas :) Myles liked launching threes or taking middies. To go hard to the rim was the last thing Myles body and mind wanted to do.
Myles would miss games, Domas would start. Domas would play 20+ or even 30+ minutes from the bench. His efficiency in the paint was crazy. Passing the rock was developing well too. FT% was good.
Back to numbers.
In 2019 NBA season, in first 50+ games, Domas took 9 long shots, made 7. Funny :)
Following seasons in Indiana Domas and Myles were starting together. It was a dysfunctional marriage. Domas was shooting much more from the distance, and though percentages gradually increased, they were still mehhh. Middies were even worse. On the other hand, Domas steadily was going to the line more. Funny thing. In 2020 season Domas had his first NBA All-Star game. First game after ASG Domas had 10 FTAs. Pacers had very good, very professional, passionate and objective announcers. Everybody was like "WOW..., now Domas will get a fair whistle. Since he is an All Star". NBA put a lid on that notion very quick. One of the reasons is simple: with Domas' skill set, to call the game fair is a headache. Nonetheless, before the malpractice trade to Kings, Domas FTAs rose to 5.4 per game. Sure, his PF were always very close to 4 per game :)

Domas a King!!! and his numbers.
First full 23' season. 5.5 FTAs and 37.3% from the threes.
Derailed Kings season of 2024. 5.1 FTAs and 37.9% on threes.
Soap drama season of 2025. MB dug a hole, Kings now climbing out. Numbers so far: 4.2FTAs and NBA best 47.8% on threes.
Sooo, as Domas became a King, his FTAs are going down while long shot settled down. As I posted before - Domas is peaking. Everything in his game that he worked hard became high quality and consistent. I hope and pray it will stay the same for the next ~6+ years at least (fingers crossed) :)
What's next? Domas will take less than 4 FTAs per game while his PFs will be the same? That's more PFs than FTAs... Only in NBA :) Oh, and he will crack 50+% on his 3PTAs, right ;)
P.S. Domas had like ~10 game when he shot 10+ FTs, most were 13 twice. Yesterday Booker was 13-16 from the line. For Domas, to get 16+ FTAs takes one week per season (exaggerating, but fun :) ). He is no Shaq, Barkley, Howard, AD or alikes. He is the son of his father. When Domas father was healthy (though Arvydas never peaked out - he was on the way but lost Achilles tendon in one leg) - reffs had the same dilemma. How to call a game on Arvydas (or Domas now) when defending them proper is almost mission impossible?
 
Should Sabonis start skipping practice more often in order to play like vs the Wizards?
So Domas is leading the league in rebounds, double doubles (total and consecutive), 3point percentage (48.2%) and he is on pace to become the first player in NBA history to have 60% from the field (60.5% at the moment) and 40% or better from 3 point line.
 
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