Toronto Raptors Roundtable: Biggest surprise, realistic goals, and more
Is Pascal Siakam a top-10 player in the NBA?
Mike Bossetti:
Sorry to go against the grain here, but no not quite. He’s in the conversation and he might even be playing like a top-10 player right now, but I need to see a little more for a little longer before I put him in this category.
There’s the elite category everyone would agree is a step ahead of Siakam. (LeBron James, Stephen Curry, etc.). But there also is a group of players just below the top-tier that edge him out. Karl-Anthony Towns is a step ahead of Siakam, Luka Doncic is playing as well as anyone in the NBA right now (maybe besides Giannis Antetokounmpo), and Damian Lillard is still more proven than Siakam. Spicy-P is fantastic, but he’s more in the 15-ish range.
Nikola Cuvalo:
Yes. Yes. And more yes. Who would you slot above him presently? Show me nine other guys who are the number option on their team, and are averaging better 26/8/4 on efficient shooting splits for a (pseudo)contender. Throw in the fact that he’s only likely to continue improving throughout the season, and it seems like Siakam will soon have an invitation to the top-five club.
Michael Walton:
Absolutely. Siakam has done everything you would’ve expected out of him and more in the 2019-20 season.
So far Siakam has improved upon his scoring, passing, rebounding, and Net Rating over last year’s title-winning season. Siakam is under the class of the old guard of NBA superstars but has earned the right to be considered a Top-10 player for his massive impact on games with his two-way ability. Off the top of my head, I would be bumping a player such as Portland’s Damian Lillard out of the Top 10 to give Siakam a spot.
Geethan Viswathasan
Yes. Easily. He’s improved his scoring, rebounding, and passing this season. And his importance to the team and its success should have him on the MVP shortlist.
Should Raptors keep Fred VanVleet at any cost?. dark. Next
On any given night he is an unstoppable combination of spin moves and knockdown shooting has contributed greatly to the Raptors fantastic title-defense thus far. As the focal point of a top team, and arguably the lone star. He is firmly entrenched in the top-10. If he’s not on your top-10 list yet, I’ll give him until the 2020 NBA Awards to change your mind.