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Raptors’ Pascal Siakam is surpassing his All-NBA peak in hot start

BySourav Mahanty|
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 22: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after a missed basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at FTX Arena on October 22, 2022 in Miami, 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 22: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after a missed basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at FTX Arena on October 22, 2022 in Miami, 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors are currently 1-2 after three games in the new season, but it has not been all negative, especially when you consider the number of players that Nick Nurse’s side is missing right now because of injury. The scoreline has been very close in all three games, and Pascal Siakam has been the main reason why.

The Cameroon-born star has been playing out of his skin this season. In fact, he is surpassing the lofty statistics that he amassed throughout his second All-NBA campaign last year.

Siakam was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2022. In the process, he tied Vince Carter and DeMar DeRozan for most All-NBA selections in Raptors history. If he continues performing at this rate, he should have the record all to himself at the end of this season.

Siakam seems to have taken his game to the next level this time around, as his numbers are better now in several departments than they were in the seasons in which he got his All-NBA nods. Of course, he needs to do that to match his ambitions of being a top-five player in the league.

Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam is playing even better

Siakam’s output this season has been outstanding. He is averaging 27.7 points (22.8 in 2021-22), 7.0 assists (5.3 in 2021-22), and 10.3 rebounds (8.5 in 2021-22) per game with a field goal percentage of 53.3 (49.4 in 2021-22).

His triple-double against Brooklyn shows just how far he’s come as a finisher, playmaker, and leader. Siakam is now second all-time on the Raptors’ triple-double list while becoming the only Raptor ever with multiple 30-point triple-doubles.

Siakam has become a much more efficient player this season. His rebounding has improved on both ends of the floor despite matching up against Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Bam Adebayo to start the season. He has become a better passer over the years as well, all without turning the ball over more.

The big area in which he has struggled this season is his shooting from beyond the arc. While Siakam’s overall field goal percentage has gotten better, his three-point efficiency has dropped. He is just making 27.3 percent of his threes right now.

If he gets this area improved, which he was able to do in past seasons, Siakam should earn his third All-NBA selection in four seasons. Doing so would make him supermax eligible, firmly establishing him as a top-20 player in this league.

Yes, one has to admit that the sample size is quite small, and Siakam will need to continue performing like this throughout the season. That being said, Toronto must be thrilled with the early returns, as Siakam’s evolution into a star is continuing.

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