It was completely unexpected. Markieff Morris had a good reason for sagging-off Pascal Siakam with five seconds left on the shot clock. Siakam was supposed to drive, another one of those barreling explosions towards the basket. Morris braced himself, preparing to absorb the impact of all 6’9″ 229 pounds of Siakam flying at him. This was Siakam’s game all of last season after all – quick-twitch rushes at the hoop and blindingly fast down-hill play.
Except, this time, Siakam calmly took one dribble, still standing completely upright. Then, he hit a quick cross between his legs to his left side, dropping his shoulders to sell a drive. Morris dropped back. Even then, with just over three seconds left on the shot clock, he didn’t expect Siakam to shoot.
Without hesitation, Siakam elevated into his jumper. The ball wasn’t even close to grazing the rim, as it dove clean through the net. Toronto’s newest superstar nonchalantly backpedaled back on defense, flashing his characteristic sparkling teeth in a shy smile.
Siakam was a full foot beyond the three-point line. This wasn’ a shot he took last year. Ever. Siakam only took 50 shots from outside 25 feet (the NBA three is 23.75 feet) during the entirety of the 2018-19 season. In just seven games this season, Siakam is already half-way to that 50-shot total with 26 attempted. Even better, he’s already made 12 of them. Last year, Siakam made just 11.
This is the new Pascal Siakam. A superstar Pascal Siakam. Not the unpolished bundle of raw athleticism who settled for potshots from the weakside corner when it came to threes. Siakam is now hoisting 5.1 3PTs a night, draining a startling 38.9% of them. This isn’t just “respectable,” it’s impressive. Siakam is flinging up deep bombs with zero hesitation, both off the dribble and off the bounce. He’s no Paul George or Kawhi Leonard, but it’s a remarkable imitation. For a player who took just 2.7 threes a game last season, this is a whole new plane for Siakam.
Without question, shooting off the dribble was the biggest obstacle preventing Pascal Siakam from being a superstar. He was far from unskilled last year, but most of his baskets came through his high motor and athleticism. If he was ever going to take the next step, he needed to sharpen his creating skills. Luckily, Siakam has obliterated that flaw from his game and turned it into a deadly weapon. Graceful half-spins leading to one-foot fall-aways, floating hang-dribbles into beautiful pull-ups, Siakam is executing his new moves perfectly. They’re quick, deliberate, and best of all, effective. He took just 0.8 jumpers off the bounce per game last season. With the added workload this season, that number’s evolved into 4.3 attempts a game.
There’s always been a trace of LeBron James in Siakam’s game, and it’s shining through clearer than ever. Siakam has that lethal mix of size and athleticism that creates match-up nightmares on fast breaks. He blasts past opposing bigs before they can get to the paint with that devastating speed, then overpowers any smaller defenders who could keep up. It takes an elite defensive player who has that rare blend of strength and speed to check Siakam. And, when a player can reach a level where it necessitates a Kawhi Leonard or Paul George to stop him, that only speaks volumes towards his abilities.
The post-game has improved too. Maybe it’s just the increased opportunity without Kawhi Leonard, but Siakam has been brilliant near the hoop. He doesn’t put defenders through the same torture chamber of fakes and spins as Leonard did, but he doesn’t need to. Siakam bumps and wrestles with his man, knocking his opponent off balance for easy looks. Then there’s that skying baby-hook nobody can seem to reach, which Siakam is close to mastering. And of course, the spin move he nimbly executes at full speeds which earned him the moniker “Spicy P.”
Siakam’s development, as a basketball player, has been shocking. Nobody could’ve predicted this sort of supernova ascension in just two years. He’s averaged 25.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a game so far this year. Most importantly, Siakam’s stats are translating into wins with the Toronto Raptors at 5-2.
It’s been just seven games, but Pascal Siakam has been a superstar. This is the future of the Toronto Raptors. Alongside OG Anunoby, Siakam will form one of the league’s most-feared wing defensive duos for years to come. And, as he’s just entering his prime at 25, this should be one player everybody should keep their eyes on.
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