Toronto Raptors: Which player should be taking the last shot?

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors stretches on center court before tip-off against the New York Knicks at Amalie Arena on December 31, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Pascal Siakam

As previously mentioned, Pascal Siakam has been the go-to-guy in the clutch for the Raptors to this point, despite his inconsistencies. Nick Nurse has honored his highest-paid player by calling his number at the end of games, and so far it hasn’t worked.

Pascal is excellent at getting to the basket and maneuvering around his defenders for a quick two. But at the end of games when the opposing teams are locked in on defence, the last shot typically ends up being one from behind the arc or mid-range; neither of those areas is Siakam’s specialty.

Despite his shooting percentages becoming more efficient as of late, Spicy P is not the best option on the roster when it comes to creating his own mid-range shot, and yet Raptors fans have watched Siakam try and fail to do so over the past two outings.

Although quite shifty for his size, a player at 6’9 will not have the same tight handle on the ball as Lowry or VanVleet, and so he often is forced to go to his patented spin-move to create separation, and at this point, it seems as if the defender knows exactly what’s coming. Pascal Siakam is not to blame for the team’s losses as of late, but it’s time to move off of him when it comes to the last possession.

Home/Raptors News