Pascal is one win away from finals mvp

[ash_k]

In Masai’s defence. Let’s say if he traded Barnes and got KD from the Nets while keeping, Fred, Pascal, OG and acquiring Jakob.

I remember people at the time said he should be fired if he did that, but is the idea really that crazy. I think that team with some complementary pieces could have been a competing roster as well. But most people here clearly didn’t think so.

The truth is I think he knows and sees things clearer than fans do. Masai operates off the reality. Fans work off Hopium around draft picks and youth and what if potential.

So many fans love the concept of tanking and become attached to the potential of the player.
I was one of the people who was completely against trading Barnes for KD then. Barnes hasn't lived upto the hype we had back then but it is what it is.

I don't think Masai would have put together a team like the Pacers around Pascal cause he would literally have to trade everyone on the roster other than Pascal to do it. Just a **** situation of fit with the talent we built up.

and it takes a lot of luck, the same Pacers had offered DeAndre Ayton a massive deal which the Suns ultimately matched.
3 years ago, we had a deal in place to get Myles Turner which the Pacers pulled once the Sabonis-Hali trade got agreed.
Masai had the vision of FVV|OG|Barnes|Pascal|Turner. Last season, the Pacers were trying to get both OG&Pascal. It just takes a lot of luck.

After seeing Pascal&FVV that game 6 at the Oracle, I was one of the few that wanted that 4th pick traded to keep building on Pascal&FVV&OG. Then again, COVID doesnt happen, we may be looking at B2B and we would be in total different world right now.
Fingers crossed for Pascal and that NBA finals MVP!!!

[Duffman100]

Be happy and celebrate Siakam?

Nah **** on Masai.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

Beautiful character arc after being unfairly trashed by this org at media just two years ago - being scapegoated for all the team ails and the lack of maturity of other teammates. Wish we had anyone as good as Pascal on the roster.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

In Masai’s defence. Let’s say if he traded Barnes and got KD from the Nets while keeping, Fred, Pascal, OG and acquiring Jakob.

I remember people at the time said he should be fired if he did that, but is the idea really that crazy. I think that team with some complementary pieces could have been a competing roster as well. But most people here clearly didn’t think so.

The truth is I think he knows and sees things clearer than fans do. Masai operates off the reality. Fans work off Hopium around draft picks and youth and what if potential.

So many fans love the concept of tanking and become attached to the potential of the player.
I was one of the people who was completely against trading Barnes for KD then. Barnes hasn't lived upto the hype we had back then but it is what it is.

I don't think Masai would have put together a team like the Pacers around Pascal cause he would literally have to trade everyone on the roster other than Pascal to do it. Just a **** situation of fit with the talent we built up.

I was for it, but we’re fans it’s not even our job. Masai is supposed to know better and make the right moves even if people don’t see it.

[Raptorfan2012]

I do wonder if Spur fans were this insufferable and whined and cried about their FO when they watched Kawhi win a championship for us.

[Mattatron]

He’s 30 though not worth resigning Masai was a smart man

If you want to criticize Masai about anything regarding the Siakam trade, criticize him for putting a horrific roster out there for years making the decision to move him all but a requirement. Zero spacing = ineffective Siakam, project 6'9 was a massive failure and effectively resulting in us having to blow up the team.

For years? It was 2 years man. And you were begging for him to be shipped out the 2nd year.

Stop it.

2020 - 2024 = 4 Regular Seasons

Seems like Math isn't one of your strengths. Leave that to others.

[kwajo]

I do wonder if Spur fans were this insufferable and whined and cried about their FO when they watched Kawhi win a championship for us.

I get your point, but that's a very different situation because of the injury and subsequent drama that went on for over a year between the Spurs front office and Kawhi's camp.

[Fairview4Life]

If you want to criticize Masai about anything regarding the Siakam trade, criticize him for putting a horrific roster out there for years making the decision to move him all but a requirement. Zero spacing = ineffective Siakam, project 6'9 was a massive failure and effectively resulting in us having to blow up the team.

For years? It was 2 years man. And you were begging for him to be shipped out the 2nd year.

Stop it.

2020 - 2024 = 4 Regular Seasons

Seems like Math isn't one of your strengths. Leave that to others.

Using your years, Pascal was traded in 2023, not 2024 and that includes a season where the team won 48 games, which would be hard to describe as a "horrific roster". I am not sure your condescension about knowing math really checks out.

[WuTang_OG]

Hope he wins it

[YogurtProducer]

He’s 30 though not worth resigning Masai was a smart man

If you want to criticize Masai about anything regarding the Siakam trade, criticize him for putting a horrific roster out there for years making the decision to move him all but a requirement. Zero spacing = ineffective Siakam, project 6'9 was a massive failure and effectively resulting in us having to blow up the team.

For years? It was 2 years man. And you were begging for him to be shipped out the 2nd year.

Stop it.

Absolutely **** impressive to join this thread and find a way to **** on Masai and hit every talking point he has in one post

Super happy for Pascal; sad we couldn't get it done for him here. But really watching this just kind of validates Masai and co's reluctance to move on. Siakam is a special talent and you can reasonably understand the reluctance to trade a guy away knowing there is little to no chance you are going to win that trade.

[redeye514]

Would love to see it for a few reasons but one of them would certainly be that it would increase the likelihood that Ed makes a change in the FO. You just can’t ignore what a failure they’ve been for 5 seasons now including how they dealt with Siakam.

You are excited at the idea of Ed Rogers having more power and conviction to fire one of the most respected and sought after sports executives in the entire world?

[Raptorfan2012]

I do wonder if Spur fans were this insufferable and whined and cried about their FO when they watched Kawhi win a championship for us.

I get your point, but that's a very different situation because of the injury and subsequent drama that went on for over a year between the Spurs front office and Kawhi's camp.

Maybe so, but there were some issues Pascal had on this team as well that I think some fans forgot (he didn't dribble a ball during COVID, didn't really want to take on that leadership role when given to him etc). There were many fans here who were ready to run him out of town after our Championship core dissolved.

Point is, I just want to be happy for Pascal without having to tie Masai and the trade into the equation.

[tsherkin]

Love seeing Siakam enjoying this kind of success. He's playing great, and they are a win away from a title. I don't know if he really thought he'd be this close to summitting the mountain again after 2019; it's not that common for players to keep getting there, so it's pretty cool for him.

Awesome stuff. Obviously sad that he isn't doing this with us, but he is definitely one of those guys who was great while he was here, so it's nice to vicariously enjoy his current success.

[hyper316]

Give some credit to Carlisle's coaching, Siakam making quicker decision with the ball

[Basketball_Jones]

I think the most impressive thing is he’s playing elite level defense like we haven’t seen since his MIP season. Where has it been hiding? Damn man.

[Jadoogar]

I'm so happy for Siakam and for people realizing how good he is. he should absolutely be the FMVP if the Pacers win, Haliburton has the highlights but Siakam has been the most consistent player on the team.

[TheGeneral99]

Thunder are tough to beat at home, but this is crazy what Indiana is doing.

[OakleyDokely]

Siakam, Finals:

2019: 40.2 MIN, 19.8 PPG, 7.5 REB, 3.7 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.7 BLK, .505 FG, .238 3PT, .762 FT
2025: 32.8 MIN, 19.8 PPG, 8.3 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.7 STL, 1.3 BLK, .464 FG, .348 3PT, .825 FT

[Bruin]

When was the last time a player who actually wanted to stay with a team got traded and won a ring + FMVP the following season? Would this be the first?

[Duffman100]

I think the most impressive thing is he’s playing elite level defense like we haven’t seen since his MIP season. Where has it been hiding? Damn man.

I think him carrying so much of the offensive load in Toronto probably wore him down. Indiana is so deep and the offense is so well distributed that his energy is likely better applied at defense.