‘Inside the NBA’ disrespects Pascal Siakam with All-Star votes

The Toronto Raptors are currently outside of the postseason picture despite the best efforts of star forward Pascal Siakam. After missing out on an All-Star nod last year due to his injury before the season, Siakam should coast to his second career nomination in Utah.

After setting career-best marks in several offensive categories last season, Siakam looks poised to blow past those old stats this season. His offseason boasts about being a top-five player may not have come to fruition, but he’s easily one of (at the bare minimum) the top 20 players in the game. The team is wholly reliant on him.

Unfortunately, the folks over at Inside the NBA didn’t give the Raptors the time of day when it came time to make their All-Star reserve picks. Toronto’s win-loss record has done a number on Siakam’s status in the league, as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith both refused to put him on their All-Star team.

Only Shaquille O’Neal had Siakam in the All-Star game as a reserve, while names like Jalen Brunson and Bam Adebayo managed to get All-Star nods from three of the four panelists. The Raptors may have a bad win-loss record, but Siakam has never been better than he’s been in 2022-23.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1618857210276372481

‘Inside The NBA’ snubs Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam.

Siakam is averaging 25.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, all of which would be career-best marks for a player who has been an All-Star once and All-NBA performer twice. Siakam could earn a supermax contract if he earns All-NBA honors once again.

I’m not asking these analysts to watch every Raptors game and properly appreciate Siakam’s greatness. Is it too much for them to take a look at the box score and see the eye-popping numbers No. 43 has amassed this season?

Despite an obvious lack of support around him, which has become so tough to stomach that the Raptors are broadcasting their lack of quality depth across the league in trade talks, Siakam has been a consistent scorer, defender, and leader. What more do you want to see?

While Toronto started to open some eyes during their 48-win 2021-22 campaign, their recent struggles have once again made the American media forget they even exist. Siakam is putting up production that would make those same analysts fall over in their chairs if he was on the Knicks, Heat, or another big-market American team.

Being loyal to Toronto does have some drawbacks, I guess.