Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors season report cards: Grades for each Individual

By Jordan Skuse

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 17
Next
(Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
(Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Pascal Siakam

Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, faster, stronger…

I don’t reference Kanye lyrics very often but the above perfectly encapsulates what Pascal Siakam must do this off-season: GET BIGGER. GET STRONGER.

And if it’s even humanly possible, I guess get faster too…

Siakam’s growth from year one (G-League Finals MVP) to year two (an endorser of Google Home and Bench Mob blur) was marvelous. Earlier this season, Dwane Casey called Siakam’s motor his “gift”. There aren’t many players who can make a living in the NBA simply by outrunning and outhustling their opponents – Pascal Siakam is one of them.

Ball-handling and playmaking are two areas where his growth was exponential. After averaging just under two assists per 100 possessions in his rookie season, Siakam produced nearly five per 100 possessions in 2017-18. His shooting mechanics need a lot of work, as does his shot in general, footwork, preparation, the whole shebang – at one point this season, he was statistically the league’s worst three-point shooter.

Despite that unfortunate title, he mustn’t shy away from taking threes in future seasons. The league craves scoring from distance, and Siakam possesses all the other attributes necessary to be a very good player in the league but must get his shot in order if he wants to unlock his higher NBA calling.

In the playoffs, Siakam struggled to find his rhythm offensively. He was rejuvenated somewhat when VanVleet returned in the Washington series but was otherwise only relevant on defense, where he performed admirably against the likes of John Wall and LeBron James.

With the futures of Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas uncertain, and given the impending arrival of a new head coach, Pascal Siakam could find himself in a starting role as early as next season. In order to succeed in that hypothetical scenario, he must get stronger and develop more consistency with his shooting.

GRADE: B+ (C in the Playoffs)

Home/Raptors News