What is Sabonis' ceiling?

George Battaile · Post #1 » by **George Battaile** » Thu Jan 4, 2018 6:27 pm

Sabonis is 21yo and likely to get even stronger and more efficient at what he does. His PER 36 is better than Miles, specially in rebounding and assisting.

My wild guess and a perfect scenario for him- he's a better passing Z-Bo with a little bit less of scoring power.

Discuss.

8305 · Post #2 » by **8305** » Fri Jan 5, 2018 11:40 am

I don’t think he will ever bring the same defense as Mark Gasol but, offensively he seems like a similar player. You can run offense through him and he will make other players better.

Wizop · Post #3 » by **Wizop** » Fri Jan 5, 2018 2:25 pm

Depends upon whether he can develop his right hand. I did see him shoot a right handed layup this week.

AussiePacer · Post #4 » by **AussiePacer** » Fri Jan 5, 2018 11:58 pm

Wizop wrote:Depends upon whether he can develop his right hand. I did see him shoot a right handed layup this week.

Agreed, he's going to be too predictable in the post if he can only swing one side. For all the talk of his ability to play stretch, he hasn't shown much from beyond the 3 this season, which is another area he can improve on. If he can become a genuine threat out there it'll open up space and passing lanes for him - he's great at moving the ball so think this could help the team.

Defensively he can become a very strong player, but not sure he's a rim protector who can swoop through the paint and block like a Myles or Porzingas, so ensuring he gets bodies and takes rebounds must be his go. He's doing fairly well in that regard.

Laure · Post #5 » by **Laure** » Sat Jan 6, 2018 3:54 am

Zach Randolph in his heyday is a good comparison IMO, adding the passing. That's a good ceiling.

Post #6 » by **Miller4ever** » Sat Jan 6, 2018 5:47 am

If he gets a more reliable jumper the Z-Bo comparison would be a bit better.

cruwinas · Post #7 » by **cruwinas** » Sat Jan 6, 2018 4:49 pm

Miller4ever wrote:If he gets a more reliable jumper the Z-Bo comparison would be a bit better.

First three months his rookie year for the OKC Domas was shooting from the distance ~45%. Right now would be good somehow to bring it back into his game. BUT he comes from the bench, plays around ~20 minutes. The sooner he will start as a PF for Pacers - the better. Playing ~2o minutes is just so wrong for his development and for the Pacers W/L record.
His ceiling - somebody like Zach, like Mailman - very good, versatile big with exceptional bbiq. Play him 32-35 minutes right now and its automatic 20+/10+ production, with plenty of assists, good screens and smart plays on defense. I watch him since he was 15 and he is improving by leaps every year. Yep, good times ahead. Right, Nate?

pizza guy · Post #8 » by **pizza guy** » Tue Jan 9, 2018 2:21 pm

I definitely think Sabonis + Myles is a really strong front-court duo for maybe the next decade. They both have room to grow, and while the general consensus might be that Myles has a higher ceiling, I think Domas has a game that will age very well and be very consistent throughout his career.

While I do see them as the future, I think this season with Thad as the starter is great for both of those two. Thad provides fantastic veteran leadership and consistency, and gives these two the time to continue working on their own games without having the full pressure of winning production. Starting next year though, whether Thad is on the roster or not, I think we'll see Sabonis force his way into the starting lineup. Hopefully we'll see Leaf and Ike also force their way into the rotation.

The ceiling for Sabonis, IMO, is still pretty high. I don't know that he'll be quite as celebrated as either Gasol, but I do think they're decent comparisons. If he works on his offensive game a bit more and become more well-rounded, I think David West is also a decent comparison. Intelligent, tough, consistent, strong. If he can keep his rebounding at a high-level, and work his offense into a DWest-type game, he's going to be a very good player for a long time.

cruwinas · Post #9 » by **cruwinas** » Tue Jan 9, 2018 3:11 pm

pizza guy wrote:I definitely think Sabonis + Myles is a really strong front-court duo for maybe the next decade. They both have room to grow, and while the general consensus might be that Myles has a higher ceiling, I think Domas has a game that will age very well and be very consistent throughout his career.

While I do see them as the future, I think this season with Thad as the starter is great for both of those two. Thad provides fantastic veteran leadership and consistency, and gives these two the time to continue working on their own games without having the full pressure of winning production. Starting next year though, whether Thad is on the roster or not, I think we'll see Sabonis force his way into the starting lineup. Hopefully we'll see Leaf and Ike also force their way into the rotation.

The ceiling for Sabonis, IMO, is still pretty high. I don't know that he'll be quite as celebrated as either Gasol, but I do think they're decent comparisons. If he works on his offensive game a bit more and become more well-rounded, I think David West is also a decent comparison. Intelligent, tough, consistent, strong. If he can keep his rebounding at a high-level, and work his offense into a DWest-type game, he's going to be a very good player for a long time.

Domas rebounding from the age of 15 was his prime forte. And to doubters - he will improve his game, the question is just how much. Even now we see him finishing with his off hand. Yes, short wing span. But watch, how much real estate he annihilates with his legs. His legs look like they are made from good Lithuanian oak, and he is quick, fast and very well coordinated.
Next year starting lineup Myles + Domas is going to be one of the best of big pairings in the league. Something to be very excited for the next 10+ years :pray:

Just be healthy guys. Myles is tall and lanky, more susceptible to some light injuries, Domas looks like he makes hardwood ache, then he hits it hard

AussiePacer · Post #10 » by **AussiePacer** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:52 am

The Gasol comparison is one I haven't seen yet (havent seen many, so apologies to anyone else who raised it) and is a good one.

Would be a great outcome for us if he can become a consistent, mutlifacet player like them.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #11 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:06 pm

If prime Michael Jordan had a baby with prime Hakeem Olajuwan....that is Sabonis.

Post #12 » by **Jake0890** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:18 pm

I don't like the ZBo comparison so much, Zbo was physically stronger than Sabonis is but Sabonis has height on him.

I like the Gasol comparison - think his game is closer to Marc than Pau tho.

cruwinas · Post #13 » by **cruwinas** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 9:26 pm

Jake0890 wrote:I don't like the ZBo comparison so much, Zbo was physically stronger than Sabonis is but Sabonis has height on him.

I like the Gasol comparison - think his game is closer to Marc than Pau tho.

Just imagine that Sabonis is black. Or ZBo is white.

Watch on YouTube

I saw Bismack, Acy, O'Quinn or Mirotic bouncing off Domas like tennis balls from the wall. Domas, 21, is hurting his defenders while playing clean, technical game.

basketballwacko2 · Post #14 » by **basketballwacko2** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 2:07 pm

pizza guy wrote:I definitely think Sabonis + Myles is a really strong front-court duo for maybe the next decade. They both have room to grow, and while the general consensus might be that Myles has a higher ceiling, I think Domas has a game that will age very well and be very consistent throughout his career.

While I do see them as the future, I think this season with Thad as the starter is great for both of those two. Thad provides fantastic veteran leadership and consistency, and gives these two the time to continue working on their own games without having the full pressure of winning production. Starting next year though, whether Thad is on the roster or not, I think we'll see Sabonis force his way into the starting lineup. Hopefully we'll see Leaf and Ike also force their way into the rotation.

The ceiling for Sabonis, IMO, is still pretty high. I don't know that he'll be quite as celebrated as either Gasol, but I do think they're decent comparisons. If he works on his offensive game a bit more and become more well-rounded, I think David West is also a decent comparison. Intelligent, tough, consistent, strong. If he can keep his rebounding at a high-level, and work his offense into a DWest-type game, he's going to be a very good player for a long time.

I think Leaf has a long way to go to be an effective NBA player. He has to get a lot stronger, Ike I have not seen play except for 2-3 min, he needs to play in the G-League as does Leaf.

basketballwacko2 · Post #15 » by **basketballwacko2** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 2:09 pm

Jake0890 wrote:I don't like the ZBo comparison so much, Zbo was physically stronger than Sabonis is but Sabonis has height on him.

I like the Gasol comparison - think his game is closer to Marc than Pau tho.

Domas is taller and Zbo is wider! :lol:

glasket · Post #16 » by **glasket** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:16 pm

2 key things in my opinion to develop. A reliable jumper and ability to guard a stretch 4 on the perimeter. With those two he would be a great player for the Pacers

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Topofthekey · Post #17 » by **Topofthekey** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 5:12 pm

Domas seems to be the rare breed of players who somehow makes his team and other players better just by being on the floor. One way or another, things just seem to click better when he is around. He's definitely the second best player on the team right now, with still room to improve.

I do hope he takes good care of his body, as he isn't shy about tangling it up under the basket. Last anyone wants to see is for his career to be derail by injuries.