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Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam vs D’Angelo Russell for Most Improved Player

By Mark Birdsell

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 24: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is awarded the NBA Community Assist Award before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 24: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is awarded the NBA Community Assist Award before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

The Case for Siakam

Siakam’s path to near stardom has not been as clear as Russell’s. Siakam was discovered at Basketball Without Borders camp in Africa. He spent two years at New Mexico State and was named WAC Player of the Year in his sophomore season.

Siakam declared for the 2016 NBA Draft. The Toronto Raptors decided to draft him after a private workout in Buffalo. Siakam was taken 27th overall.

As a rookie, Siakam started 34 games due to an injury to Jared Sullinger. However, Siakam also spent a significant amount of time in the G-League with the Raptors 905. Siakam led the 905 to the G-League Championship and was named Finals MVP.

The Raptors “Bench Mob” became a league-wide sensation during Siakam’s second year. The Raptors’ bench regularly outscored the bench of the opposing team and Siakam was a large part of that. However, Siakam wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire.

During his sophomore campaign, Siakam averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Siakam was viewed primarily as an energy big off the bench. He was rarely in the opponent’s scouting report and future All-Star appearances seemed unlikely. But Siakam is a worker and has a desire to get better. Siakam wasn’t content being a member of the Bench Mob, he wanted more.

This past summer, multiple videos surfaced of Siakam in Los Angeles working on his game.

Siakam has become a better ball handler. He is one of a handful of players capable of grabbing a defensive rebound and taking it coast-to-coast. On a few occasions, Nurse is confident letting Pascal work as the initiator of the pick-and-roll, a blasphemous thought when he first entered the league.

In addition to his improved handled, Siakam has become a more consistent offensive player. Siakam is becoming known for his patented spin move. Opposing players know the move is coming, but can’t do anything to stop it.

Siakam has also become a threat from three-point range. As a rookie, Siakam shot 14.3 percent from long distance. This season, Siakam has increased that to 35.6 percent. He is also shooting 40.4 percent from the corners.

This season Siakam has started all but one game that he has played in. He is averaging 17 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Siakam was a candidate to be named an All-Star reserve. He was also a strong contender to replace Oladipo, ultimately losing out to Russell.

In the 24 games since the All-Star reserves were announced, Siakam has averaged 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1 steal and 0.8 blocks per game.

Siakam has been the most consistent member of the Raptors this season. Kawhi Leonard has only played in 55 of a possible 76 games this season due primarily to load management. Kyle Lowry has also missed 16 games due to injury.

In their absence, Siakam has stepped up. On February 9th, Siakam scored a career-high 33 points and added 14 rebounds in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. Siakam followed that up with a 44 point explosion against the Washington Wizards in the final game before the All-Star break.

Next. Why the Raptors can beat any of the other Eastern Conference Contenders. dark

Siakam has gone from an unheralded player to a key contributor on a team with championship aspirations. While Russell has had an impressive season, he can’t match the improvements that Siakam has made across the board. Siakam is this year’s Most Improved Player.

Stats were provided by ESPN.com and Basketball-Reference.com

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