The Toronto Raptors have a lock for the NBA All-Star game in Kawhi Leonard, but what about their breakout star, Pascal Siakam? Ahead is a look at his case against fellow fringe candidates.
Last year, Toronto Raptors’ forward Pascal Siakam was far from the All-Star ballot, rendered as a role player on a team led by a pair of stars instead. Under new head coach Nick Nurse, along with the departures of portions the team’s frontcourt depth, Siakam has broken out.
According to the latest NBA All-Star polls, Siakam is making waves nationally as well.
Sitting at ninth in national voting for the frontcourt of the Eastern Conference, Siakam has a ways to go before a possible induction into the All-Star festivities for the first time.
Under the game’s new format – installed last year – each conference earns 12 bids, with Siakam likely falling into the reserves which has five possibilities for his nomination (three frontcourt spots, two flex).
The voting system remained stagnant for starters as 50 percent of the vote comes by way of the fans, with the remaining half coming from a split between players and current media. The reserves are selected by the coaches around the league.
The latter point is likely a supporting factor for Siakam’s induction as his play speaks to an impactful player without the flash that attracts fans.
In recent years, several All-Star nominees have been ‘snubbed’ by the league in their pursuits of a bid. Notable names that failed to make the roster last year included Lou Williams and Chris Paul with the latter left out due to injury for a portion of the opening half.
Siakam, among a glut of frontcourt options, has a case that propels him ahead and a case that holds him back against each. Let’s take a look first at a player that may suffer from what kept Paul out last year: Injury.