While his name circulated throughout the summer in transfer rumors, and he was not extended, Pascal Siakam is still loyal to the position in Toronto.
Except that his start to the season was nothing glorious with 15.4 points on 41% shooting! Unworthy of a double All-Star, the Raptors’ top scorer for four seasons. Should we see this as discomfort? A withdrawal to get used to a new coach and a new playmaker? A consequence of an attack where ticket shoots are more distributed?
Elements of response with Darko Rajakovic. “It’s going to come… It’s a different style of play, and he’s going to go through a period of adaptation.” explains the Serbian technician. “But at the same time, he’s really trying to do the right thing. He tries to circulate the ball, to find his teammates, and that takes away a little aggression from him. »
A fruitful discussion
Darko Rajakovic says he took Pascal Siakam aside before the match against the Mavericks. “In the last two days, I talked to him, and I told him that he needs to be aggressive first. Aggressive to score, aggressive to attack the rim, to shoot… And if they put two players on him, then obviously he has to find a teammate. But I think it’s testing the waters, and very soon it will take off. »
Nick Nurse’s successor was right since Pascal Siakam really hurt the Mavericks with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. His power and percussion hurt the defense, whether in transition, or when working with his back to the circle. A real fixation point, as his trainer had asked him. Enough to start the season, while the Raptors are in balance (4 wins – 4 losses).
Not one to give up
“I always have confidence in who I am as a player. My instinct is good. I always play the right way,” he assures. “But at the same time, to get to where I am today, a lot has happened, and I always remind myself that I was always on the right path. Things have never been easy for me, and I think that sets me apart from a lot of other people. I am a resilient person. I know it. And when things are confusing, I like it because personally I know that I will never give up.”
For him, the Raptors can only go far if he is at his best. It is obvious.
“It’s obvious that Scottie [Barnes] is great and plays at an incredible level. But I think if we want to be a great team, I have to play at a high level.” he concludes.
| Pascal Siakam | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 55 | 16 | 50.2 | 14.3 | 68.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 4.2 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 81 | 21 | 50.8 | 22.0 | 62.1 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 7.3 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 80 | 32 | 54.9 | 36.9 | 78.5 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 6.9 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 16.9 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 60 | 35 | 45.3 | 35.9 | 79.2 | 1.1 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 22.9 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 56 | 36 | 45.5 | 29.7 | 82.7 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 21.4 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 68 | 38 | 49.4 | 34.4 | 74.9 | 1.9 | 6.7 | 8.5 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 22.8 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 71 | 37 | 48.0 | 32.4 | 77.4 | 1.9 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 24.2 |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 7 | 36 | 41.2 | 33.3 | 80.0 | 0.6 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 15.4 |
| Total | 478 | 31 | 48.6 | 32.8 | 77.4 | 1.4 | 5.1 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 17.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
