3 All-NBA players Raptors star Pascal Siakam is outperforming
By Mike Luciano
2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Young is still an electric scorer, as his 27.8 points per game and 10.3 assists per game show that he has adjusted perfectly to the addition of another ball-dominant guard in Dejounte Murray. Where Pascal overtakes him, however, is the fact that he’s putting up those numbers on 47% efficiency without turning the ball over.
Young has made just 34% of his shots, which is far below what we’re used to seeing from him. Going 23% from the 3-point line while attempting just under nine triples per contest is the definition of underperforming. Considering the other skills Pascal brings to the table, it’s clear who is performing better.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam’s efficiency trumps Trae Young.
Both Young and Siakam are elite scorers and passers, but Siakam’s defense is so far clear of Young that the two aren’t in the same stratosphere. If the voters want to consider defense for these teams, they need to realize that Siakam is multiple tiers above Young in this area.
With Young and Siakam both the stars on teams expected to make some noise in the playoffs, both of them will likely get some props from the larger basketball media landscape. Having said that, any list that has Young above Siakam, based on this first morsel of action, is not dealing with reality.
How many 37-point triple-doubles will convince you?