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Pascal Siakam is leading the Toronto Raptors with incredible numbers this season. Even NBA legends are recognizing the effort the leader of the team in Canda has been putting in.
The Raptors(5-3) are tied with the Atlanta Hawks for third in the Eastern Conference standings, and Siakam is a main reasons behind the success. Through their first eight games, Spicy P is averaging 25.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists. Siakam has also improved his outside shot, making 36.1% of his long-distance shots.
His play has caught the attention of fans and observers. One person who has enjoyed Siakam's success is Raptors legend Vince Carter. On ESPN's "NBA Today," Carter strongly campaigned for Siakam to be an All-Star this season.
"Not only he is an All-Star, he’s a rising star, he’s a champion," Carter said. "And he is on his way to being top five, if not now!
"Pascal Siakam, whatever you're doing in the summer, you put your work in, my guy!"
For the Raptors, this is a great sign. Siakam has always had the talent to lead but he doesn't get enough appreciation for what he's done with the team. Ever since he made the All-Star team in 2019-20, he's averaged no less than 21.4 ppg. Not only that, but he's also grown as a defender.
With Siakam's rise this season, the Raptors have become one of the toughest teams to face in the East. Additionally, they have a very strategic coach who's not afraid to experiment with his lineup. Last season, he surprised everyone when he decided to play almost all of his frontcourt players at once.
The Raptors will take on the Dallas Mavericks (4-3) on Friday night.
Pascal Siakam should be an All-Star this season
The Toronto Raptors found a gem when they drafted Pascal Siakam with the 27th pick in 2016. Since then, it's been a steady journey to improve Siakam's raw talents. It all paid off when they won the 2019 championship against the Golden State Warriors. He was the league's Most Improved Player that season.
The following year, Siakam was named an All-Star. He deserves to be selected as one of the NBA's best players, but there has been no follow-up to that so far. For the previous two seasons, the Cameroonian player has been ignored despite putting up solid numbers (21.4 ppg and 22.8 ppg).
It seems as though the media spotlight left Toronto, along with Kawhi Leonard. Over the past two seasons, Siakam has averaged over 22.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He's been an efficient scorer as well, making 47% of his shots , including 31% from 3-point range. (Fred VanVleet represented Toronto in the ASG last season.)
Pascal Siakam has to stay consistent to get a spot in this season's All-Star game. He's done that the past two seasons, now he just needs to get recognized.
