NBA Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam – He’s Back!
It’s no secret to readers of this blog that I have written many times about the troubles of Pascal Siakam. Drafted 27th in 2016 by the Toronto Raptors, expectations were low for his ceiling as they are for anyone drafted that late in the draft. I noticed early that he was fast down the floor, comparing him to a skinny Usain Bolt, but Pascal had come to basketball later in life than most kids who develop the skills required to get to the NBA, and it seemed that he may well be suited for a decent bench role if he kept working on his basic skills and could further develop his shot.
All that changed in 2018 after the Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard in the offseason. Not only did Kawhi lead the Raptors to their first NBA Championship, he also instilled a high level of confidence in all the players around him including Pascal. And with that new found confidence he shone, putting on a highlight reel worthy set of moves. He really was an invaluable piece of the Championship run. He vaulted up the player rankings, winning Most Improved Player, making the all star team and landing at number 24 in the league. Heady times indeed for the young African player from Cameroon and he was rewarded with a max deal and many sponsorship opportunities. His future was both secure and bright. Even if Kawhi left the team, Pascal Siakam would become it’s new star.
The next season, however, was ravaged by the pandemic that is COVID-19. While Pascal started the year as expected playing brilliantly, when the season resumed in the bubble, he failed to find his newly minted game and the team bowed out early in the playoffs. The following year seemed to find no improvement in Pascal’s game. He looked unsure of himself and just could not finish plays. His 3 point shot evaporated, his fouls increased to the point where he started fouling out of games and he appeared totally lost at times. He was benched and fined by the team for outbursts at the coach. He was falling apart.
So entering the 2021-2022 season, my expectations for Pascal were significantly reduced. For the first time, his name began surfacing in trade rumours and they weren’t shocking or disappointing. Because of offseason surgery, Pascal missed training camp and the first 6 weeks of the season and when he finally returned, he did not impress. However, at that point it was still too early to determine whether he was just rusty from the surgery and recovery time or whether he still hadn’t recovered his former all star worthy form.
By early mid December he started to emerge and his emergence began an immediate rise in the fortunes of the 11th place Raptors. Slowly, but steadily, his shooting improved and with that his confidence. Today, Pascal is putting up career numbers in minutes played per game, field goal percentage, rebounds and assists while being just a hair off his best points per game. And the Raptors? Well they have moved from a lottery discussion to a bona fide playoff contender currently sitting 6th in the Eastern Conference. Not all because of Pascal of course, but they certainly wouldn’t be where they are without him playing as well as he is.
So Pascal is back, and there is much rejoicing in Raptorland and here at Bob and Jim. Congratulations Pascal for fighting through what you’ve had to fight through in order to find your way back. You have filled the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run. Yours is the earth and everything within it – and what’s more – you’ve become a man, young son.