It has been a long time coming for the Toronto Raptors, who finally secured their first victory since November 2, when they faced the Sacramento Kings.
In a matchup against the Indiana Pacers at Scotiabank Arena on November 18, the Raptors managed to fend off Pascal Siakam and company, en route to an impressive 130-119 win. The double-headed monster duo of Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett has once again emerged as the key contributors.
Poeltl once again delivered for Toronto, showcasing his best stretch of basketball to date by posting a dominant 30 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, RJ Barrett displayed his impressive all-around skill set, finishing with a stat line of 39 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
RJ Barrett goes OFF for 39 points on 61.9 FG% in the @Raptors win! pic.twitter.com/rdt3XmYwUt
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2024
Barrett is clearly establishing his own identity as a player, gradually shedding the negative reputation he acquired during his time in New York.
There’s no denying the strengths in Barrett's game, particularly in the recent progress he's made as a dynamic playmaker and scorer. He can ignite the game in an instant while still identifying opportunities to distribute the ball to his teammates when they need it.
Doesn't that remind you of a certain ex-Raptors standout?
There is an undeniable resemblance between his style of play and the fan response he receives, which echoes the days of Pascal Siakam in Toronto.
RJ Barrett is becoming the Raptors' new Pascal Siakam
Although RJ Barrett and Pascal Siakam embody distinct player archetypes, Barrett's trajectory with the Raptors appears poised to closely mirror Siakam's journey. However, if you're not entirely clear on what that means, let this context provide some clarification.
Siakam was the ideal third option for a championship core led by Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard during the 2018-19 season. The strides Siakam made in his game that year earned him the NBA Most Improved Player award, and with Leonard's subsequent departure, many of the expectations shifted to "Spicy P" to lead the next chapter of Raptors basketball.
Siakam emerged as a first-time All-Star in 2020 and earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team, establishing himself as the new leader of the Raptors. However, he earned a reputation during that year's Bubble playoffs as a playoff choker, as Siakam struggled to build on his regular-season success and lead Toronto back to the finals.
In his subsequent years with the Raptors, Siakam showcased his versatility, evolving into a consistent 20+ points per game scorer, while also contributing solid rebounding numbers and improving as a playmaker, as evidenced by his increasing assist totals in Toronto.
Is that not precisely what RJ Barrett is doing with the Toronto Raptors right now?
Raptors fans and commentators alike can never seem to reach a firm conclusion about what RJ Barrett truly represents for Toronto. Is he genuinely a breakout star on the rise, or is he merely a shot chucker capitalizing on a favorable situation?
People said the same about Pascal Siakam, even as he started to silence the doubters. Only the die-hard Raptors faithful remained steadfast in their support for their Cameroonian star, despite a chorus of detractors trying to undermine him.
It remains to be seen whether Barrett can become an impactful player capable of leading Toronto to a winning record and, ultimately, playoff success. However, that’s the challenge with a rebuilding squad. The Raptors aren’t necessarily a hopeless franchise; they have the right talent assembled. It's simply a matter of reaching full strength and finding the right synergy.
Siakam had the advantage of navigating both playoff teams and struggling rosters in Toronto. Regardless of the circumstances, he maximized his opportunities, even if he couldn't quite fulfill the role of being the go-to guy. If we had to speculate, RJ Barrett's career with the Toronto Raptors could unfold in exactly the same rhythm.
Interpret it as you will, whether you see it as a positive or a negative, but one thing's for sure: a full analysis will come with time.