National Post (National Edition)
Siakam an emerging force for Raptors
Heading into this season everybody in the NBA knew that the Toronto Raptors would go as far as perennial all-stars Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry would take them.
Sure, there was a deep, solid supporting cast that would help out, but they’d be the key to everything.
A funny thing has happened along the way: Pascal Siakam has emerged as a player perhaps destined to make a handful of all-star appearances himself. And with both Leonard and Lowry missing a good chunk of games each — either to injuries or load management — Siakam’s ability to consistently produce huge numbers, regardless of who is on the floor with him, has been a huge reason why Toronto takes the NBA’S second-best record into Friday’s home date with the Portland Trail Blazers.
“He’s made our level of talent rise,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said. “There’s a legitimate force to be reckoned with there that is at a super-high level.”
Siakam is averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game and has made a strong case as the league’s most improved player, and Nurse believes he’s improved the team as a whole.
“Probably the biggest things that have changed on the scouting report is it’s gone from disrespect, ‘don’t guard this guy, he can’t hurt us offensively’ — well, we know that’s not the case anymore — to they’re gonna have to start making the adjustments,” Nurse said. “I think it’s going to balance things out for everybody else. And I think it has. I think it’s made guys a lot more effective. It’s been pretty important. It’s almost like we added a whole new all-star-type player.”
Siakam was able to make an impact even as a rookie, starting 38 of 55 games, largely because of his speed and athleticism, but he managed only 17 assists that year and was out of the mix by the time the playoffs rolled around.
He made steps forward in Year 2, mostly as part of a devastating second unit, but 2018-19 has become his breakout year in large part because of his advancements as a shooter. Siakam has gone from a 22 per cent three-point shooter to a 37 per cent marksman (including a 50 per cent surge over his past 10 games and 46.2 per cent work over his past 15). He’s also gone from a liability at the free-throw line (62 per cent) to a 79 per cent shooter.
How has this happened? All kinds of hard work, plus a dash of confidence.
Siakam tries to make 100 threepoint shots a day and has taken steps to hone his shot — holding the guide hand in place, eliminating movement in his legs, going straight up, to name some examples — and he’s mentally stopped being so hard on himself.
“I think before it was just like a lot of thinking,” Siakam said.
The results have been particularly absurd lately, with Siakam nailing 12-of-17 three-pointers over his past five games (70.6 per cent).
The Raptors have something special on their hands. What isn’t yet clear is just how special.