The Toronto Raptors look nothing like the playoff team that was a consistent fixture in the summer over the last decade thanks to an infamous confluence of circumstances. Regardless, the season has been nothing short of disastrous. However, if you ask Pascal Siakam, he will tell you that the Raptors made the best out of the relocation to Tampa.
Siakam has been one of many Raptor players that have been hit with injuries and suffering from inconsistent lineups throughout the season. The challenging year included relocation to Tampa Bay and away from fans the latter half of the season. In fact, Siakam heard boos from “home” fans against the Washington Wizards recently.
Although Tampa has not been the most welcoming, Siakam sees it differently. He believes that the Raptors have tried to settle in during the trying situation. Siakam makes mention that the team has “been through so much that we’ve just gotta find ways to adapt.” He also added that “It was never going to feel like home, obviously, but I think we made the best of it.”
In a way, the Raptors have. They fought through injuries, health and safety protocols, and 32 different lineups. Impressively, they’ve managed to tally up 27 wins in a shortened season and put themselves in an opportunity to at least compete for a play-in spot.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam is looking forward to the future
With only four games remaining, Siakam wants to push ahead and look forward to the future. The Raptors star believes that the “adversity” of the season presented a better picture of who he was as a player. Siakam says that he knows he is “a better player coming out of this and just going through the different struggles and stuff, and I’m excited about the future.”
The shoulder injury that Siakam suffered after the All-Star break is something that he needs to address before the start of next season. He will be getting some imaging done, according to Josh Lewenberg, to assess the strain and is day-to-day.
Siakam is averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists per game. He is looking to improve on his numbers from this unexpectedly wild season next year, when they can hopefully play in Toronto. Although, there is mention from Nick Nurse that the Raptors do not look like they are going anywhere any time soon.
The roller coaster ride continues for the Raptors with no seeming end. This is for sure though, coach Nurse is “very proud of the guys” and fans should be as well. The fact this team didn’t completely fray at the seams is impressive, and Siakam is a huge reason why.