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Can Pascal Siakam be the best player in Toronto Raptors history?

By Thomas Valentine

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during player introductions prior to an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during player introductions prior to an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Longevity

This is probably the easiest one to account for, but all-time greats usually spend quite a while with their teams. It’s rare where a player comes in for a season or two and is really able to put his stamp on the team in such a way that he’s considered a franchise great.

It happened with Kawhi Leonard after he led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA title last season – Leonard’s lone season north of the border, but that, as we said remains a very rare circumstance. After that, you can’t really name too many players that have accomplished that sort of feat.

As it stands, three of the Raptors big five are in the top five in franchise history for games played. DeMar DeRozan (675 games), Kyle Lowry (549 games), and Chris Bosh (509 games) are three of the Raptors top five with Morris Peterson and Jose Calderon occupying the third and fourth spots on the list.

For what it’s worth, Vince Carter, the Raptors’ first real superstar, is tenth on the list with 403 games played. While he doesn’t stack up to Bosh, DeRozan, and Lowry in games played, he did still spend seven successful seasons with the Raptors – but injuries curtailed his progress at times.

In the world of sports, spending that long with one team is a rare occurrence, especially now. Siakam is currently in his fourth season with the Toronto Raptors and has just signed a four-year extension that will keep him under contract until the 2023-24 NBA season. By then, that will be his eighth season with the team.

In that time, Siakam will likely go through all the highs and lows that most basketball players go through. If he stays with the Raptors, his bond with the fans will only grow stronger, and as the face of the franchise, he is bound to replicate his production on the court.

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