Domantas Sabonis wouldn't disagree: When casual NBA fans tuned in for the All-Star game last month, they probably recognized almost everyone on the floor, with stars such as Lebron James, James Harden, and Giannis Antetokounmpo ruling the game.
Those same casual fans probably didn't recognize the bearded blonde guy that played for brief stints in the second and fourth quarter, but they are certain to know the name of that man at this time next year.
Domantas Sabonis, the bearded blonde behemoth mentioned in the previous paragraph, has quietly put up one of the better seasons of any big man so far this season, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 4 or 5 seed in a sneakily strong Eastern Conference.
While there were critics of the Pacers for signing Sabonis to a contract worth $74.9 million, he has proven to be worth every penny of that deal being that he is a durable big man who has been one of the most crucial pieces in Indiana's playoff push.
Sabonis is ranked in the top 20 with 12.5 rebounds per game (5th), a 53.9 percent field goal percentage (16th), and a total rebounding percentage of 19.9 percent (11th), proving to be one of the NBA's elite when he's in the paint.
The Pacers have won six of their last seven games, including a four-game win streak capped off by a victory over the San Antonio Spurs without star guard Victor Oladipo.
In the team's latest victory against the Dallas Mavericks, Sabonis recorded his 50th double-double of the season, which locks him in for a franchise record.
According to Tim Capurso of RotoBaller, fantasy basketball owners of Sabonis have been more than pleased with his offensive performance this season.
He hasn't had one bad month this year, thanks to his steady dose of points, rebounds, and assists in each game. Fantasy owners can keep enjoying the performances from one of basketball's most improved players. Up next for (Domantas) Sabonis is a match-up with the Celtics, who he nearly notched a triple-double against in their first match-up.
Domantas Sabonis isn't flashy like many of the stars he played with in the All-Star game last month, but that's perfectly fine for an Indiana fanbase who is used to flying under-the-radar and being ignored by the general public while they outperform their season projection more often than not.
Domantas Sabonis being that model of consistency inside has been a blessing for a Pacers team who has dealt with a bevvy of injuries this season, most notably with Oladipo and Myles Turner.
Domantas Sabonis' All-Star identity should come to no surprise of NBA fans who watched his Hall-of-Fame Dad Arvydas play with the Pacers. While the Pacers big man has been unable to replicate his dad's passing, his dominance on the glass and chemistry on the pick-and-roll formed with Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren has made him a legitimate offensive threat.
While what he does may not be as flashy as a Harden stepback or a Lebron fall-away jumper, Domantas Sabonis' role with the Pacers can not be understated, as the big man deserves more national recognition for keeping one of the most underrated teams in the Eastern Conference consistent.
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