Pascal Siakam Will Be A Top 5 Player This Season

[Swish1906]

No chance man. James, Kawhi, Giannis, Harden and Curry will all be unarguably better. There’s 5 easy. Siakam will probably reach top 20 though.


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Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

So when you started to watch NBA? 2012?

[Johnny Bball]

No player has ever won the MIP award twice in a row that I recall. This thread is equal to saying that will happen. It won't.

The only thing equally silly in this thread are the guys saying the raps will suck, won't make the playoffs, get used to it, etc.

[jimmy keys]

I listed 22 players, so which 11 would you take Siakam over?

I wouldn't trade Siakam for any of the following players straight up - Kemba, Kyrie, Westbrook, Griffin, Holiday, Beal, Butler.

I think he'll better than KAT & Doncic next season, but admittedly they have greater potential.

+ KD & Oladipo due to injuries to round out your requested 11 players for next season.

I dislike comparing players that have much different roles but if you're looking for a primary scoring option Siakam is not better than any of the players you listed as behind Siakam other than maybe Holiday. If you're looking for a secondary scorer that balances with good defense than Siakam is the choice but that sort of player isn't a top-20 player. I think you made your choices and rationalizations only because you're a Raptors fan.

You don't need to be a primary scorer to be a top 20 player. The 2nd best player on championship teams are usually top 20 caliber. Wouldn't you put Draymond & Klay right up in the top 20? I would. Neither could be an effective 1st option and jury is still out on if Siakam can be.

[MessiahUjiri]

No chance man. James, Kawhi, Giannis, Harden and Curry will all be unarguably better. There’s 5 easy. Siakam will probably reach top 20 though.


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Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

So when you started to watch NBA? 2012?

Sorry if I triggered you into making ad hominem attacks, but if you take your partisan sunglasses off, you would realize that for much of Dirks career, he was actually not even considered the best power forward in the league, due to the presence of Duncan and Garnett. He’s an all time legend no doubt, but don’t let your fan loyalty blind you from facts.

[ThatClockWork]

He should easily hit top 15 with the east the way it is. He was 15-20 by the end of last year. He's not taking a step back, sorry.

I'm not saying top 5, but if he takes the same step forward as he did last year...it's not that far off. We would be talking about him as much as Kawhi was talked about in the MVP conversation last year during the regular season.

He only got better when Kawhi was injured/sitting. He's already lit up the best the east has to offer(without Kawhi).

Honestly top 16 is viable for him (i.e. all star status) and most won't acknowledge that. Its cool though, Raps will have to prove the American media/fans wrong again through their play.

I think a huge majority of people on this board expect him to be an allstar this season, but this thread is about being a top 5 player, not just an allstar. That’s the part that people aren’t acknowledging.

Throwing shade on the American media is simply a misguided cop out that far too many Canadians use. This team isn’t going to contend without Kawhi, that’s just reality, not media bias.

For the Raptors to have a chance at contending, Pascal will need to be a top 5 player in the league. While I have all faith in him and the team working with him to improve his game, seems like a bit of a stretch to put that label on him right now. He is definitely going to take his game to another level but top 5? With guys like Lebron, PG13, Kawhi, Anthony Davis, Curry, Harden, Westbrook in the league, how reasonable would it be to say that Pascal will outperform at least 2 of these players significantly enough to warrant a spot in the top 5?

PS: You are 100% correct about the US media comment I made, that is my bias showing.

[FlatearthZorro]

Damn, that thread turned trolly real quick ahahah... However barring A HUGE jump, he wont be top 5, very few guys in there and all with crazy stats. I think top 25 is possible, if he averages over 20 a game with some rebounds and a few assists. It will be much harder for him to score tho, cause Kawhi was getting lots of attention when he was playing which gives room for the other guys to operate. Now he's gonna have to be the guy and teams will put emphasis on shutting him down.

[The_Hater]

Honestly top 16 is viable for him (i.e. all star status) and most won't acknowledge that. Its cool though, Raps will have to prove the American media/fans wrong again through their play.

I think a huge majority of people on this board expect him to be an allstar this season, but this thread is about being a top 5 player, not just an allstar. That’s the part that people aren’t acknowledging.

Throwing shade on the American media is simply a misguided cop out that far too many Canadians use. This team isn’t going to contend without Kawhi, that’s just reality, not media bias.

For the Raptors to have a chance at contending, Pascal will need to be a top 5 player in the league. While I have all faith in him and the team working with him to improve his game, seems like a bit of a stretch to put that label on him right now. He is definitely going to take his game to another level but top 5? With guys like Lebron, PG13, Kawhi, Anthony Davis, Curry, Harden, Westbrook in the league, how reasonable would it be to say that Pascal will outperform at least 2 of these players significantly enough to warrant a spot in the top 5?

PS: You are 100% correct about the US media comment I made, that is my bias showing.

While I realize that fans want to relive what happened last season all over again, the Raptors aren’t going to contend this season, that’s just what happens when you lose a Kawhi Leonard. I find it best to prepare for that reality ahead of time instead of deluding oneself that a different outcome is realistic.

[TDotJon]

i can't get behind top 5, but i do think top 10 is well within reach.

[Jcity08]

I love my Raps and I'm very high on Pascal but even I think him shooting up to top 5 anytime soon is on the unlikely side. Pascal is currently rated 24th in the league which already is awesome https://www.si.com/nba/top-100-nba-players-2020#40-31). If he can crack the top 20 this season, thats a win for me.

[13th Man]

Don't know if top 5 but I have him high on my radar for the fantasy draft!

[tdotrep2]

He could...

He could also stay around the level he already is.

he wont be top 5 but just having a reliable jumper puts him way ahead of what he is now. In the playoffs embiid and green just sat back on him making him drive into 2 guys. Based off the offseason workouts all he is doing is shooting and its looking good.

[LoveMyRaps]

He'll be a top 10 player by the end of the year. Not top 5 though.

[Danny1616]

No chance man. James, Kawhi, Giannis, Harden and Curry will all be unarguably better. There’s 5 easy. Siakam will probably reach top 20 though.


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Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

Dirk was never a top 5 player?

In 2005 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2006 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2007 he won the MVP.

In 2010 he was 7th in MVP voting.

In 2011 he was 5th in MVP voting.

Between 2005-2011 Dirk was easily a top 5 player in the NBA.

[drosereturn]

Damn, that thread turned trolly real quick ahahah... However barring A HUGE jump, he wont be top 5, very few guys in there and all with crazy stats. I think top 25 is possible, if he averages over 20 a game with some rebounds and a few assists. It will be much harder for him to score tho, cause Kawhi was getting lots of attention when he was playing which gives room for the other guys to operate. Now he's gonna have to be the guy and teams will put emphasis on shutting him down.

You gimme the list of 25 players that are better than a 2way versatile big men.
And a lot of top players miss due to injuries so Pascal playing a lot of games helps his ranking too.
Plus this guy played better on playoffs which often stars tend to disappear.
Counting raw stats is not a good way to measure how good he is since he is way better on the defensive side.
Any GM would be crazy not to trade a top 3 pick for this guy. He is that good with potential becoming poor mans Giannis.
Think Pascal might match Bosh who had a great career in Toronto.

[MessiahUjiri]

No chance man. James, Kawhi, Giannis, Harden and Curry will all be unarguably better. There’s 5 easy. Siakam will probably reach top 20 though.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

Dirk was never a top 5 player?

In 2005 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2006 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2007 he won the MVP.

In 2010 he was 7th in MVP voting.

In 2011 he was 5th in MVP voting.

Between 2005-2011 Dirk was easily a top 5 player in the NBA.

Thanks for proving my point. For the majority of his career, Dirk was not a top 5 player.

[Danny1616]

Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

Dirk was never a top 5 player?

In 2005 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2006 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2007 he won the MVP.

In 2010 he was 7th in MVP voting.

In 2011 he was 5th in MVP voting.

Between 2005-2011 Dirk was easily a top 5 player in the NBA.

Thanks for proving my point. For the majority of his career, Dirk was not a top 5 player.

What?

He literally had 5 seasons where he was easily a top 5 player and in 3 of those seasons he was a top 2-3 player.

Apart from Jordan, Magic and Lebron very few players have been able to consistently be top 5 players for an extended period of time.

You are only going to find a handful of players that have been to sustain being a top 5 player for more than 5 seasons.

Duncan was probably top 5 from 1999-2007, but maybe not every season.

Garnett was top 5 from around 2001-2006.

Kobe was top 5 from 2006-2010.

Westbrook was top 5 from 2016-2018

Bird was top 5 from 1982-1987.

Shaq probably also had like 6-7 seasons where he was a top 5 player.

For Dirk to have a peak of at least five seasons as a top 5 player is incredible and something very very few players actually accomplished.

Dirk is a top 20-25 player of all-time.

[MessiahUjiri]

Dirk was never a top 5 player?

In 2005 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2006 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2007 he won the MVP.

In 2010 he was 7th in MVP voting.

In 2011 he was 5th in MVP voting.

Between 2005-2011 Dirk was easily a top 5 player in the NBA.

Thanks for proving my point. For the majority of his career, Dirk was not a top 5 player.

What?

He literally had 5 seasons where he was easily a top 5 player and in 3 of those seasons he was a top 2-3 player.

Apart from Jordan, Magic and Lebron very few players have been able to consistently be top 5 players for an extended period of time.

You are only going to find a handful of players that have been to sustain being a top 5 player for more than 5 seasons.

Duncan was probably top 5 from 1999-2007, but maybe not every season.

Garnett was top 5 from around 2001-2006.

Kobe was top 5 from 2006-2010.

Westbrook was top 5 from 2016-2018

Bird was top 5 from 1982-1987.

Shaq probably also had like 6-7 seasons where he was a top 5 player.

For Dirk to have a peak of at least five seasons as a top 5 player is incredible and something very very few players actually accomplished.

Dirk is a top 20-25 player of all-time.

My point was that for most of his career, Dirk was an excellent player but not top 5. That’s the caliber of player that Siakam and Porzingis can be.

You’re mistaking this into an insult to Dirk, when I’m not denying Dirks HOF status.

[Danny1616]

Thanks for proving my point. For the majority of his career, Dirk was not a top 5 player.

What?

He literally had 5 seasons where he was easily a top 5 player and in 3 of those seasons he was a top 2-3 player.

Apart from Jordan, Magic and Lebron very few players have been able to consistently be top 5 players for an extended period of time.

You are only going to find a handful of players that have been to sustain being a top 5 player for more than 5 seasons.

Duncan was probably top 5 from 1999-2007, but maybe not every season.

Garnett was top 5 from around 2001-2006.

Kobe was top 5 from 2006-2010.

Westbrook was top 5 from 2016-2018

Bird was top 5 from 1982-1987.

Shaq probably also had like 6-7 seasons where he was a top 5 player.

For Dirk to have a peak of at least five seasons as a top 5 player is incredible and something very very few players actually accomplished.

Dirk is a top 20-25 player of all-time.

My point was that for most of his career, Dirk was an excellent player but not top 5. That’s the caliber of player that Siakam and Porzingis can be.

You’re mistaking this into an insult to Dirk, when I’m not denying Dirks HOF status.

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying.

Achieving five seasons of being a top 5 player is all-time great status. That is why Dirk is largely considered a top 20-25 player of all-time. Not only has Dirk been a top 5 player for multiple seasons, but he he's been consistently a top 10 player for about 13-14 seasons, which only about 10-15 players in NBA history have been able to accomplish.

If Siakim can reach Paul George's trajectory that would be a huge accomplishment. Paul George maybe had one season of being a top 5 player, but he's consistently been a top 10-15 player for majority of his career.

Dirk is an elite franchise player and #1 option who is able to take his team as the sole superstar to the finals twice, multiple conference appearances, 60+ win seasons, and he's done it over a long span of time.

I don't think Siakim is capable of that. If Siakim can reach the level of guys like Pierce, George, Allen, Lillard, Butler etc. guys who are or were consistently top 10 players for a few years, that would be amazing. None of those guys have ever been considered top 5 players (except George for one season), but they have all been in the top 10 multiple times.

Even if Siakim reaches the top 5...he needs to do it over multiple years to get on Dirk's level...which very, very few players have done.

Like Westbrook was a top 5 player for two seasons, but he will probably never get there again. Vince Carter may have been a top 5 player for one season and that was it.

Even Kawhi so far has had two seasons as a top 5 player (maybe 3 but he missed 22 games last year for load management)...he's also had some injury issues. It's questionable that he will get to five seasons to be honest. Dirk is a legend, the best European player of all time and probably the 3rd greatest power forward of all time after Duncan and Malone.

[RUN T M C]

So top 5 "in Canada?" Quite possibly.

[dho4ever]

Sounds about right. Top 5-7 is crowded by all time players. The 8-15 area is something Siakam could blossom into. I think he can be a 22/7/4 player with good defense. Basically the level of most of Dirk’s career (other than the MVP years).

Dirk was usually never a top 5 player, but was an effective number one option. I put Porzingis in the same tier.

Dirk was never a top 5 player?

In 2005 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2006 he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

In 2007 he won the MVP.

In 2010 he was 7th in MVP voting.

In 2011 he was 5th in MVP voting.

Between 2005-2011 Dirk was easily a top 5 player in the NBA.

Thanks for proving my point. For the majority of his career, Dirk was not a top 5 player.

Eh majority of career is a poor thing to judge someone like dirk who came in unproven and stayed til he was really old.

Was Shaq a top 5 player for most of his career?