Pascal Siakam: "Toronto.. thank you for everything" - Player's Tribune

[Fairview4Life]

Hey man wheres OG's player tribune. Booooo

Players Tribune
by OG Anunoby

Thanks.

OG Anunoby

It legit would have been great if OG had signed Pascal's article with a "me too, OG".

[Duffman100]

"The hardest time of my career by far was the bubble — that’s not unique. Mentally, physically, I just wasn’t my best. And I really struggled with how we finished that season, because I loved our team. I thought we had the pieces to defend our title. So I felt like we let everyone down. And it was tough in those moments. I would get messages from trolls filled with these hurtful things, racist things.And being so isolated in the pandemic, it really weighed heavy on me. "

This !sh makes my blood boil so bad. F all of those guys then, and even all of ya'll now who belittle his contribution to this franchise. Really feel like our struggles now is just some bad karma from a bunch of id!ots in this city who don't know how to appreciate the good things and blessings we have / had. "I'm just keeping it real bro, Trashcal Siakam bro, just calling it like I see it..'... F#k ya'll.

Yup, I hope and believe no one here was involved in that. But if you were, shame. That's disgraceful.

[TravisScott55]

Wish him nothing but success in the future.

[dTox]

f*** this one hit me right in the feels, you have my heart Pascal. I've said this in other threads, but Indy has gained many new fans.

[mtcan]

Pascal's piec3 was thankful for the most part but also didn't hesitate to air some of his dirty laundry...shots fired at the organization and to racist fans...

[Childs]

"The hardest time of my career by far was the bubble — that’s not unique. Mentally, physically, I just wasn’t my best. And I really struggled with how we finished that season, because I loved our team. I thought we had the pieces to defend our title. So I felt like we let everyone down. And it was tough in those moments. I would get messages from trolls filled with these hurtful things, racist things.And being so isolated in the pandemic, it really weighed heavy on me. "

This !sh makes my blood boil so bad. F all of those guys then, and even all of ya'll now who belittle his contribution to this franchise. Really feel like our struggles now is just some bad karma from a bunch of id!ots in this city who don't know how to appreciate the good things and blessings we have / had. "I'm just keeping it real bro, Trashcal Siakam bro, just calling it like I see it.."... F#k ya'll.

I was annoyed at his performance during the bubble but really angry at some of the crap the "Fans" said to him. Unfortunately throughout every fanbase there is garbage.

Read on Twitter

These guys were disgusting

[redeye514]

"The hardest time of my career by far was the bubble — that’s not unique. Mentally, physically, I just wasn’t my best. And I really struggled with how we finished that season, because I loved our team. I thought we had the pieces to defend our title. So I felt like we let everyone down. And it was tough in those moments. I would get messages from trolls filled with these hurtful things, racist things.And being so isolated in the pandemic, it really weighed heavy on me. "

This !sh makes my blood boil so bad. F all of those guys then, and even all of ya'll now who belittle his contribution to this franchise. Really feel like our struggles now is just some bad karma from a bunch of id!ots in this city who don't know how to appreciate the good things and blessings we have / had. "I'm just keeping it real bro, Trashcal Siakam bro, just calling it like I see it..'... F#k ya'll.

Yup, I hope and believe no one here was involved in that. But if you were, shame. That's disgraceful.

One would hope Duff, but I would bet otherwise unfortunately...

[pingpongrac]

Man this article really got me feeling all kinds of things. I've always loved the guy. His development over the years has been one of the most incredible and enjoyable things I've watched as a basketball fan. It's sad to see him go, even if it may have been for the best to move the team forward.

It's also a great reminder when we're talking about players and roster construction that these are human beings and we should try to keep the personal out of it. We don't know these guys, don't know what makes them tick. For instance there was this narrative developing about Pascal during these recent trade rumours that he was selfish and "only all about the money". I think it's clear that he genuinely loved being in Toronto and didn't want to leave.

So let's try not to ascribe negative personal traits to someone that we don't know just because we don't like someone's fit on a basketball team. Let's try to keep these things about basketball.

This is something I never understood because Siakam was never a selfish man on or off the court. Obviously he wanted/wants to get paid as much as he can in his line of work, but it was clear he wanted to get paid in Toronto. He said it in this piece that he wanted to play his entire career with the Raptors and it always felt that way – even over the past 12 or so months when it seemed like he was an afterthought in the eyes of the organization.

I wish nothing but the best for Siakam. His character and personality always made him easy to root for, but he had to work extremely hard to get where he is now. He came into the league as a guy with a very high motor but not a whole lot of skill to a 24/8/5 kind of guy the last few seasons with a couple of All-NBA/All-Star selections. I hope he wins another Championship at some point and I hope he's eventually re-united with the Raptors then closes out his career in Toronto before getting #43 retired.

[Raptors Realtor]

He's a beauty, true professional... His number should hang in the rafters someday next to Kyle's.

[alpngso]

Man the feels. Truly a great Raptor. I really hope Siakam and Indy do great things in the East, just not in 25-26

[HumbleRen]

Man this article really got me feeling all kinds of things. I've always loved the guy. His development over the years has been one of the most incredible and enjoyable things I've watched as a basketball fan. It's sad to see him go, even if it may have been for the best to move the team forward.

It's also a great reminder when we're talking about players and roster construction that these are human beings and we should try to keep the personal out of it. We don't know these guys, don't know what makes them tick. For instance there was this narrative developing about Pascal during these recent trade rumours that he was selfish and "only all about the money". I think it's clear that he genuinely loved being in Toronto and didn't want to leave.

So let's try not to ascribe negative personal traits to someone that we don't know just because we don't like someone's fit on a basketball team. Let's try to keep these things about basketball.

I mean he did want the money. This is literally known lol.

You can want to stay and want all the money. Lowry operated that way his entire career. Nobody doubts how much he loved the Raptors.

[Boardbreaker]

From unknown to all nba. True success story.

[ghuytro]

Top 5 Raptor and will have his number 43 in the rafters when he hangs them up. Was always a professional through and through. Thanks for the great memories Pascal.

The drafted & homegrown Raptor with the most on-team success in Raptors history.

[LarSiN]

Pascal's piec3 was thankful for the most part but also didn't hesitate to air some of his dirty laundry...shots fired at the organization and to racist fans...

Good

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Did OG ever do one of these? I don't recall seeing one.

[Dennis 37]

Hey man wheres OG's player tribune. Booooo

Players Tribune
by OG Anunoby

Thanks.

OG Anunoby

Cool.

[GIZMO]

I try not to get too attached to the name on the back of the shirt, but Pascal makes it very hard! Just an all around a great dude, hard working and always presented himself the right way. How can you not love this guy!
We will miss you Spicy, all the best in Indy we will all be rooting for your success!
Standing ovation when he comes to town and other than #7, we have the #43 to retire!

[lobosloboslobos]

Good Luck! Top 10 2 Raptor easily. Wishing him alot of success. Well suck hard during the reg season in 2024 and 2026 for the Indy picks but make noise in the playoffs.

ftfy

[vobot]

Pascal is such a good honest human being. I love reading about the little stories. One of the GROAT! Lowry, Demar, and Siakam have special place in my heart as a raptors fan

[Dennis 37]

Man this article really got me feeling all kinds of things. I've always loved the guy. His development over the years has been one of the most incredible and enjoyable things I've watched as a basketball fan. It's sad to see him go, even if it may have been for the best to move the team forward.

It's also a great reminder when we're talking about players and roster construction that these are human beings and we should try to keep the personal out of it. We don't know these guys, don't know what makes them tick. For instance there was this narrative developing about Pascal during these recent trade rumours that he was selfish and "only all about the money". I think it's clear that he genuinely loved being in Toronto and didn't want to leave.

So let's try not to ascribe negative personal traits to someone that we don't know just because we don't like someone's fit on a basketball team. Let's try to keep these things about basketball.

I mean he did want the money. This is literally known lol.

You can want to stay and want all the money. Lowry operated that way his entire career. Nobody doubts how much he loved the Raptors.

I'm not going to dump on the guy for wanting as much money as he can get, but there is an affordability:talent ratio to consider. He's not a number 1 and you can't give him number 1 money. If he was sincere about wanting to stay a Raptor his entire life he would have asked his agent what kind of discount he would have had to give the Raptors to fulfill that dream.

While the feels come out when he talks about seeing himself as a Raptor for life, he didn't want any personal sacrifice to make that a reality, now did he?

Having said that I still like the guy a lot and wish him well.