Once again, the Pacers gave everything and fought to push the Celtics into error, but the experience, talent and mastery of Boston always made the difference in the “money time”. Jaylen Brown and his teammates won this conference final without a mistake: 4-0. Pascal Siakam can only see the gap between the two teams in hot moments, while being satisfied with the mentality of his teammates.
“We fought a lot collectively during these playoffs. We have progressed,” assures the Cameroonian. “I arrived in the middle of the season but we progressed day after day. It's unfortunate to end like this, but I'm proud of us. We continued to fight. »
It's the end of an adventure of several months for the 2019 champion. He arrived in Indiana in January, after leaving his long-time team, Toronto.
“It’s been a crazy year. I came from a place where I thought I would spend my entire career. It was hard. I am positive, I have had support from my family, but it is not easy to live with. Mentally and physically, it takes a lot. I had support from day one, I couldn't ask for anything better. I can name everyone, from managers to players to staff. I have made so many sacrifices. Without this support, I don't know how I would have done it. I felt that I was expected, that I mattered. I'm lucky to be here, I'm happy too. The support has been incredible. »
“It’s easy, after such a season, to say that we are very close and that we will come back. This is not a guarantee”
The interior is free this summer and after this great run with the Pacers, will he want to commit long term?
“All I can say is it’s a blessing,” he replies, hesitant in his words. “I loved everything, and that means a lot considering where I come from. The city supports the team, the home games are crazy. How could you not want to be part of that? Whatever happens, happens. »
Already a champion with the Raptors, Pascal Siakam knows how a team can climb to the top. How does he judge the level of the Pacers, who were not expected at this level a few weeks ago?
“I want to be careful because it's easy, after such a season, to say that we are very close and that we will come back. This is not a guarantee. This is encouraging, but there is work to be done. Getting back to this level takes a lot. Experience is important for that. But we must improve everywhere, offensively and defensively. »
Pascal Siakam is in any case eligible for a contract extension of $247 million over five years, or $191 million over four years, with the Pacers. And 183 million over four years with another team.
| 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 * | All Teams | 80 | 33 | 53.6 | 34.6 | 73.2 | 1.7 | 5.3 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2023-24 * | IND | 41 | 32 | 54.9 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 2.1 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 21.3 |
| 2023-24 * | TOR | 39 | 35 | 52.2 | 31.7 | 75.8 | 1.4 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 22.2 |
| Total | 551 | 31 | 49.6 | 33.0 | 76.6 | 1.5 | 5.1 | 6.6 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 17.7 | |
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.
