Indiana Pacers season review: Grading Domantas Sabonis in 2020-21
By Luke Parrish
What went well for Domantas Sabonis and the Indiana Pacers?
Given the injuries that the Pacers endured, Domantas Sabonis was relatively healthy in 2020-21. He missed just 10 games, although those absences all came in the final two months of the season. With Myles Turner missing the end of the season, Sabonis being available kept the Pacers within striking distance.
The offense worked through Domas each and every night. He was not getting his triple-doubles by accident. Sabonis averaged 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in his fourth season with the Pacers, all of which were near the top of his single-season bests. His points and assists were both career highs while his rebounds trailed only his 12.4 mark from just a season ago.
Whether it was Nate Bjorkgren’s offense or just a higher level of confidence from Domas, he stepped back and attempted more three-pointers than ever before. While he only connected on only 32.1 percent of his threes, Domas had the confidence to attempt 2.6 shots from deep per game, much higher than he ever has with the Pacers.
Sabonis was a weapon on offense regardless of who he shared the floor with. Doug McDermott, Malcolm Brogdon, and Caris LeVert all had their opportunities to shine next to Sabonis.
What was not as great from Sabonis?
It was not all great for Sabonis as his defense was clearly a concern all season. The loss of Myles Turner left Sabonis on an unwanted island defensively and it left the Pacers extremely vulnerable in the paint.
Bjorkgren’s defense as a whole was a complete mess and Sabonis was often left in the middle of it. Some of the blame definitely falls on the defensive scheme and the loss of Dan Burke but until Sabonis cleans up his defensive struggles, he will always be a liability on that end.