Is Sabonis 3rd best center this season?

[SpreeS]

Jokic and Embiid are lock for TOP2, but who is next? Town, Gobert, Davis, Bam, Sabonis - all have a case for 3rd ALLNBA team. Davis is the best player from this group, but injuries reduce the odds. Same with Town. Gobert has a down year and Sabas destroys Bam in all advanced stats. So Sabas is the best option at the moment.

Mini Jokic

PER 13th 24.0
WS 4th 6.3
WS/48 6th .239
BPM 12th 6.5
VORP 7th 2.7
EPM 23th +4.5
Raptor TOT 15th
Raptor War t-7th
RAPM 22th +2.46

[GYK]

Uh maybe. At worst 4th. Pascal, despite record, is playing phenomenal.

[dockingsched]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

[mabundo_nagumbe]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

if

that dude was ever healthy

[Harry Garris]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

At his peak, sure. But we’ve seen peak AD for what, a grand total of about 15 games over the past 2 and a half seasons?

I’m not that confident that AD will return from his injury and pick right back up where he left off. It would be great if he did but I’d say the odds are against it.

[The High Cyde]

Yeah, it’s pretty clear cut to me. He’s been a beast this season for sure.

[cupcakesnake]

Hell yeah.
- The centerpiece of the 3rd ranked offense in the NBA
- Leading the NBA in rebounds per game while averaging 6.8apg and shooting 61% from the field.
- Really low turnover rate despite being a high-volume playmaker.
- Absolutely murders small ball centers. Makes them unplayable. I'm still not over what he did to Nic Claxton early in the season.

I understand wanting to lean towards defense with centers, but I'm just unconvinced that the defensive guys (Bam, Lopez, Allen, Gobert) are bringing similar impact to what Sabonis is bringing offensively.

[jezzerinho]

Obviously his big value add is on the offensive end but, watching him in the paint against Carter and Banchero last night, I was taken with how physical he was. He can bang a bit in there if needed. Very complete player.

[NZB2323]

It depends on how many games AD plays in.

Also, I thought that now the all-NBA teams have some positional flexibility and don’t necessarily need a center?

[KGtabake]

Brook Lopez too

[cupcakesnake]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

At his peak, sure. But we’ve seen peak AD for what, a grand total of about 15 games over the past 2 and a half seasons?

I’m not that confident that AD will return from his injury and pick right back up where he left off. It would be great if he did but I’d say the odds are against it.

As long as there's "no time table" on Davis, I can't see a reason to be optimistic. I rode the Davis hype train early this season, but his latest injury reminds me that Davis is the big-man version of Kawhi. He's got top 5 level talent, but it's a pretty crappy roll of the dice on whether he'll be able to play at that level much or when it matters.

[cupcakesnake]

Obviously his big value add is on the offensive end but, watching him in the paint against Carter and Banchero last night, I was taken with how physical he was. He can bang a bit in there if needed. Very complete player.

I think he can bang more than "a bit". I'd say he's the best post-banger in the NBA this year. Maybe Jokic or Embiid, but I think Sabonis has the best strength and balance establishing post position. I love how Sacramento keeps him in the high post running the offense, but the minute there's a smaller guy matching up with Sabonis the offense switches to let Sabonis eat. You absolutely cannot defend him with a skinny center or a big wing, and doubling him unlocks Sacramento's best offensive stuff.

[cam24thomas]

I go with Steven Adams over every other center today.
I love his meat and potatoes approach.

[TacoLord]

It's definitely not Rudy Gobert lol

[dockingsched]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

At his peak, sure. But we’ve seen peak AD for what, a grand total of about 15 games over the past 2 and a half seasons?

I’m not that confident that AD will return from his injury and pick right back up where he left off. It would be great if he did but I’d say the odds are against it.

As long as there's "no time table" on Davis, I can't see a reason to be optimistic. I rode the Davis hype train early this season, but his latest injury reminds me that Davis is the big-man version of Kawhi. He's got top 5 level talent, but it's a pretty crappy roll of the dice on whether he'll be able to play at that level much or when it matters.

But there is a timetable, its for him to resume workouts today with hopes of playing within next two weeks.

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[dockingsched]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

At his peak, sure. But we’ve seen peak AD for what, a grand total of about 15 games over the past 2 and a half seasons?

I’m not that confident that AD will return from his injury and pick right back up where he left off. It would be great if he did but I’d say the odds are against it.

Not “at peak”, for the entire season AD’s performance is at a level Sabonis doesn’t rival. The only question is how many games AD plays. If he plays enough, Sabonis doesn’t have an argument.

[QingJames]

AD is so much better that he would either have a huge set back from his anticipated return or another significant injury (not exactly unlikely) to get beat out by Sabonis by the end of the season.

At his peak, sure. But we’ve seen peak AD for what, a grand total of about 15 games over the past 2 and a half seasons?

I’m not that confident that AD will return from his injury and pick right back up where he left off. It would be great if he did but I’d say the odds are against it.

Not “at peak”, for the entire season AD’s performance is at a level Sabonis doesn’t rival. The only question is how many games AD plays. If he plays enough, Sabonis doesn’t have an argument.

Also depends on if this rumour about them starting AD at the 4 and Bryant at the 5 when he returns is true. AD’s a very good 5 and a very disappointing 4.

[jasonxxx102]

Uh maybe. At worst 4th. Pascal, despite record, is playing phenomenal.

Not a center

[jasonxxx102]

Brook Lopez too

Lopez is a very important player in the role that he plays but his impact isn't even remotely close to Sabonis

[timO]

Uh maybe. At worst 4th. Pascal, despite record, is playing phenomenal.

Not a center

hes playing like one

but i prefer sabonis, and kings are 5, and raps are 11.