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Toronto Raptors: Is Pascal Siakam better than Paul George?

By Alexandro Fidanza

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 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 - DECEMBER 11: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 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, ON – MARCH 14: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball as Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 14, 2019 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 – MARCH 14: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball as Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 14, 2019 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) /

On defense, for this season, it’s just about even, but the slight advantage might just go to Pascal Siakam. We all know Paul George has made the all-defensive team four times, but it seems that he has taken a step back in that regard this season. Players don’t seem to be shooting worse when guarded by Paul George, in fact, they seem to shoot better. This is probably more due to a lack of effort than anything, but it’s still surprising to see. (All stats are from NBA.com/Stats)

Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam seems to make opposing players shoot worse from just about anywhere. Players shoot 4.1 percent worse from three when guarded by Siakam. They also shoot 5.3 percent worse when it is within 6 feet of the basket. Siakam can pretty much guard positions 1 to 5 with some exceptions to the bigger and stronger types like Joel Embiid.

Despite these statistics, there is no way I am not willing to say that Siakam is a better defender than George. Siakam might just be a better team defender, but there is no way that Siakam is a better on-ball defender than Paul George is. There is a reason George has made the all-defensive team four times and Siakam is not even in the conversation. But the point here does go to Siakam if we have to base it just this year alone.

So Siakam brings it back and it is 1-1.

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