Siakam has easily become the go-to guy for Raptors

For years, Kyle Lowry has been the engine of the Toronto Raptors, the general leading the way for one of the NBA’S most successful clubs and reigning champion.

While Lowry remains a pivotal player (basketball-reference.com has him ninth in its MVP tracker), if the 2019-20 season eventually starts up again, Toronto’s fortunes chiefly rest on how Pascal Siakam performs. Siakam, the NBA’S Most Improved Player and an MVP candidate himself before he hurt his groin and missed significant time, is now the team’s best player and also its most irreplaceable one.

We’ll start with the latter point. If Lowry goes down, Toronto still would have an excellent point guard in Fred Vanvleet to rely on, as well as another guard who was turning in a career season, Norman Powell. Subtract Siakam up front and you’d either have to play Serge Ibaka out of position beside Marc Gasol, or elevate OG Anunoby to power forward, giving the Raptors a tiny lineup, less defensive oomph overall and no proven primary option scorer.

Toronto has won better than 70 per cent of its games this season, but sports just a 6-5 record (including the miraculous comeback against Dallas in December) when Siakam has been sidelined. Without Lowry, Toronto is 10-2. That doesn’t solve this whole mystery, but it sure provides a few clues as to why Siakam is now the most valuable Raptor.

While Lowry pressures defenders with his ability to pull up on a dime for a three-pointer or attack downhill, Siakam’s nearly a foot taller and is an even more nightmarish offensive threat for opponents. He runs the floor like a deer, finishes with either hand, has a lethal spin move, high-end athleticism and an ever-running motor. Siakam also added a pull-up long-distance jumper of his own this season.

Siakam leads the Raptors in points and usage rate, is second in blocks and rebounds and third in assists. He’s an elite defender who can guard almost every position and leads all players in contested three-point shots per game, a full shot contest a night ahead of second-place Anthony Davis.

You know what you’ll get every night from Lowry — and it’s quite a bit — but nobody knows what levels Siakam can reach. At minimum, he’s an all-star starter who can do things few other big men can.

Toronto has gone 20-1 when Siakam shoots 50 per cent or better from the field. When Siakam’s not hitting, the Raptors have been at their worst.

That’s not a coincidence.