Kings Coach Mike Brown: Domantas Sabonis ‘Should Be In The MVP Discussions’

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown believes Domantas Sabonis should be in the NBA MVP talks. 

Sabonis recorded his 54th straight double-double last night (3/25), the longest streak in NBA history. 

“Shout out to Domas. What a job,” Brown said, via ESPN. “What a phenomenal, phenomenal year he’s having. Obviously, he should have been an All-Star. Obviously, he should be talked about for first, second, third All-NBA. And he should be in the MVP discussions with the way that he’s playing.”

Sabonis is having a terrific season for the Kings. The lefty is averaging 19.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 60.8% from the field, 40.8% from beyond the arc and 71.0% from the free-throw line. 

The 27-year-old Sabonis leads the NBA in rebounds, rebounds per game, defensive rebounds, double-doubles and triple-doubles. 

“It’s an honor,” Sabonis said. “You’re in the history books of the NBA, the best league in the world. So, obviously, it’s amazing. It’s a great feeling, but at the same time, I’m happy it’s over. These last couple of weeks, everybody’s been mentioning it and I’m just out there trying to play this game and help this team win.

“It’s pretty awesome. I thank the fans for doing that. It’s awesome to get that support and to feel love here. That’s why I love it here and I want to keep playing here.”

Sabonis is the fifth player in NBA history with 25 or more triple-doubles in a season, joining Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic.

“I feel like I have a lot of experience being in this game, and I’ve seen some things at the highest level and some of the greatest of the all-time greats,” Brown said. “Tim Duncan, I’ve been fortunate, blessed, lucky, however you want to call it, to be around him for three straight years, and you’re talking about a record even a guy of that magnitude doesn’t have.

“It’s hard to put into words mainly because he makes it look so easy, but his work ethic and his determination is second to none. He fights his ass off for every single rebound. He’s getting hit in the head and pushed and all that other stuff, and it’s just like the Energizer bunny rabbit. He just keeps coming and coming and coming.”