Kendrick Perkins Makes His MVP Case for Kings' Domantas Sabonis
The Sacramento Kings have not had an NBA MVP winner in their franchise since the great Oscar Robertson brought the award home to the Cincinnati Royals in 1964. Now, 60 years later, the Kings might have an MVP-caliber player, but the drought will continue.
Sacramento's star big man Domantas Sabonis has had one of the most impressive statistical seasons the league has ever seen, yet receives no love as an MVP candidate. Granted, the MVP award typically goes to the best player on one of the best teams in the league, and while the Kings have shown glimpses of greatness, they sit 7th in the Western Conference at 33-24.
One-time NBA Champion and basketball analyst gave his take on the MVP race on NBA Today on ESPN, making his argument in favor of Kings' Sabonis (via @ClutchPoints | X):
"If we want to make a case [for MVP], why are we not saying anything about [Domantas] Sabonis? Sabonis right now, if we're going based on numbers, Sabonis is leading the NBA in triple-doubles. He's also leading the league in double-doubles. The man is averaging 20, 13, and eight... I thought triple-doubles meant something."
Perkins argues for Sabonis purely based on his elite stats, but Sabonis' value goes beyond the box score. Sabonis is undoubtedly the second-best playmaking big man in the league, behind Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, and is the primary reason Sacramento has such a lethal offense.
Perkins also took to X to back up his take again:
While Perkins' audience does not seem to agree with his take, Kings fans understand what the NBA champ is saying. Not only did Sabonis get snubbed out of the NBA All-Star Game, but the big man is putting up Wilt Chamberlain-esque numbers and does not get national attention.
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