Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes believes he’s “deserving” of getting named to an NBA All-Defense team.
“Being a member of the All-Defensive Team is definitely something that I’m striving for,” Holmes told Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com. “Like I’ve said before, I’m one of the best two-way centers in the NBA. I definitely feel like I’m deserving of the All-Defensive Team.”
Holmes thinks that he’s been overlooked for such accolades over the course of his career.
“I feel like my name has always been one that kind of flies under the radar,” Holmes said. “It’s always kind of an afterthought and things of that sort… I want to continue to get better on the floor and just let my numbers and things of that sort prove my case.”
Holmes, who averaged just 5.6 points in 13.8 minutes per game in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015-16, has cemented himself as one of the League’s best centers. Now with the Kings, he’s averaging 14.1 points over 30 minutes per game this season.
Making himself right at ℍ𝕠𝕝𝕞𝕖𝕤
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 30, 2021
⁰Richaun logged his third straight double-double with 23 PTS & 12 REB last night 😤 pic.twitter.com/uILMNGL5UT
Holmes spoke to Kennedy about his improvement since his rookie season.
“Ah man, it’s been a huge improvement,” Holmes said. “…I think, for the most part, the main thing is just confidence and having an opportunity to play and kind of get my feet on the ground.”
Holmes’ great play since joining the Kings last year has made him a hot commodity, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he should be due a substantial payday.
The Kings are still in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference but will need a big run in the final stretch of the season to get into the play-in game. The Kings are 12th in the west with a record of 22-32.
