The Toronto Raptors may not be operating at peak efficiency right now, but the only reason this team has not completely fallen off and descended into complete chaos is the standout play of Pascal Siakam. The Cameroonian star is eyeing an All-NBA nomination for the second year in a row.
His masterful performance against the New York Knicks got his campaign kicked into high gear. Siakam scored 52 points in a road victory against a squad that won eight games on the bounce, putting him on an elite list of players that have scored 50 points in Madison Square Garden.
Even though the Raptors are hurdling towards potentially trading some assets in some deadline swaps, Siakam’s play is slowly starting to get the international recognition that it warrants. If this play ends up netting another All-NBA team for Siakam, we could be entering supermax territory.
Siakam is all but assured of getting an All-Star nomination, but he and the Raptors should have their sights set on something greater than that. All-NBA may be on the horizon, as his 52-point masterclass crystallized the notion that he is a top 15 player in the NBA right now.
3 reasons Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam must make All-NBA.
1. Improved production
The Raptors got some elite numbers out of Siakam last year, but he’s somehow managed to be even better this time around. In nearly every facet of his offensive game, Siakam’s numbers have ticked upward in such a drastic fashion that even a second-team nomination would be appropriate.
Siakam is averaging 26.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, all while shooting just under 50%. Siakam is scoring more than Kyrie Irving, Nikola Jokic, and Zion Williamson. He’s also rebounding more effectively than Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic while dishing out more assists than Dejounte Murray and LeBron James.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam is having his best season.
Siakam has taken it upon himself to be a quality shooter from deep and a force in the paint while still being able to get to the free-throw line and create for himself and others. Very few teams in the league ask for more out of their superstar players than what Toronto demands from Siakam.
Pascal has added so many new abilities and traits to his game in the last few seasons, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Even the most ardent Siakam supporter during his days at New Mexico State had no idea he would totally rewrite Toronto’s franchise record books.
2. Two-Way skill
Haters will try to decry Siakam’s performance this season as the byproduct of shooting as much as he wants on a team currently not positioned for a deep playoff run. That is a simplistic way to look at this season, as very few players in the league provide the value Pascal brings.
The Raptors are not going to compromise with regard to their unique defensive scheme. While they’ve been getting torched lately, this defense can be incredibly difficult to stop when they are performing at their best. Siakam is integral to making sure that this philosophy can work.
Pascal Siakam is the key to the Toronto Raptors’ defense.
While Siakam isn’t necessarily piling up attractive box score stats like blocks or steals, he can hold his own against most of the East’s best big men. The Raptors give up 2.8 fewer points per 100 possessions when Siakam is on the floor this season.
Siakam is entrusted with hanging down in the paint and simultaneously being a perimeter nuisance. Very few players can perform at or close to an All-NBA level and match Siakam’s effort on that side of the ball. The voters need to do their job and consider his impact on defense.
3. Performing with less help
The Raptors may have five players who are averaging over 14 points per game, but that fact does not fully encapsulate all of the problems that the Raptors are facing right now. Siakam is putting up terrific numbers with some less-than-stellar support around him.
Fred VanVleet has put up solid numbers in his last few games, but he was mired in a very tough shooting slump for most of his season. Scottie Barnes has regressed this season as a scorer and defender, and Gary Trent Jr. has missed some time. The bench remains a complete question mark.
Pascal Siakam is carrying the Toronto Raptors.
The All-NBA teams should count the impact that a particular player has on their team and how they operate. While the Raptors may not be winning right now, they would be in the gutter if they didn’t have Siakam being a model of consistency and excellence when he’s on the floor.
When Siakam plays 40 minutes and is brilliant, they have a chance to win. When he doesn’t, they lose. Very few situations in the league are that binary, but it speaks to just how important he is to how the franchise operates. If value is being used as a measure of All-NBA worthiness, Siakam more than passes that test.