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Toronto Raptors: Ranking Raptors players in 2018-19

By Jordan Fleguel

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 27: Pascal Siakam
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 27: Pascal Siakam /

#5 Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam has made a pretty good name for himself.  Last year, he was the driving force of the Raptors bench-mob, and was impressive in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Wizards last spring, especially in the final game six.

Siakam, like Anunoby and Wright, possesses amazing, quick-twitch athletic ability that translated to playing time as soon as he was drafted into the league.

The modern NBA seems to have two types of successful power forwards.  There are the shooters with size – the best example being Kevin Love, who has three-point range and the ability to rebound.

Then there are the ultra-athletic forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who can play multiple positions because of their guard-like skills (ball handling, passing).

Siakam has done the smart thing and is trying to develop into a hybrid of both.  His three-point shot is still a work in progress, and it will only improve with time.  His height and length, not to mention tenacity, make him a good rebounder as well.

What’s most exciting is his ability to grab those rebounds and take off down the court, handling the ball like a wing player, kicking it out to shooters, or finishing at the rim himself.  Position-less, free-flowing offense is what the NBA has become, and it’s what Siakam is best at.

However, his biggest skill is perhaps his defense.  Siakam brings the same adaptability to the defensive end, where he can guard point guards on switches or centers in the post.  Siakam is the team’s most versatile defender and is the future of the Raptors front-court.

Don’t be surprised if it’s him as the lone big-man on the court during the fourth quarter of the games that matter most this season.

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