Pascal Siakam Megathread - All Siakam-centric topics will be merged into this one

[PhilBlackson]

Ok...so yes other Rap fans, Siakam is definitely a very good defender BUT he is NOT Draymond 2.0.

Right now Pascal shows very good ON BALL defense staying in front of his man and being pesky with his length (due to his speed much like say PJ Tucker). Yes Draymond does that but where he shines is his defensive ANTICIPATION -- something that Pascal clearly isn't at that level yet.

Green understands what teams are trying to run and is an excellent HELP defender as a result too. He always seems to be in the right spot to make a play defensively whether it's deflecting a pass, getting his hands in passing or driving lanes or meeting players on their shot to disrupt or block it because he also has more ACTIVE HANDS.

Pascal is showing some real improvement in terms of how active he is with his hands defensively but there's no way he's as good of a help defender or reading plays as well as Draymond does yet, maybe that will come with more experience and as he learns more about the game and of other team's systems/schemes. The other major difference is Draymond weighs more and has the weight to bang with bigger post players, Pascal is still pretty slight of frame -- he's actually more and more reminding me of a wing than a post player with his speed/quickness and frame. I know it's exciting to see his improvement and he is an underrated defender but let's pump the brakes just a little bit and let him get closer before we go saying he's that.

[lebron stopper]

The small ball lineup potential is scary (maybe some issues crashing the boards?) - Lowry, Green, Kawhi, OG, Siakam.

That's probably the lineup I'm most looking forward to see from any team this year.

Yea rebounding is gonna be a problem with that lineup

If the team is good enough defensively though you can live with the rebounding issues. IIRC GS isn’t that good of a rebounding team with their small ball lineup, it’s just they destroy you in so many other ways you can live with it

Their insane shooting forces slow footed big men off the floor because slow footed big men can't defend the perimeter well.

But if you have a wing like Tucker who is great at getting rebounds (he played lots of minutes at centre in the WCF), or a very mobile big man like Adams, then suddenly that poses more problems for the Warriors because they can't force those guys off the floor as easily. Of course, having those kinds of guys alone won't be enough to magically overcome the Warriors, but they can help a lot.

[SF_Warriors]

They will be very tough defensively.

[Topher]

I’m higher on him than OG.

[TANKNATION]

[instagram][/instagram]

I was just so happy to hear that we got Kawhi without giving up OG or Siakam. Just imagine those three on the court together.

The small ball lineup potential is scary (maybe some issues crashing the boards?) - Lowry, Green, Kawhi, OG, Siakam.

That's probably the lineup I'm most looking forward to see from any team this year.

Yea rebounding is gonna be a problem with that lineup

What rebounds are there going to be when opponents wont even be able to get a shot off?

[cupcakesnake]

I didn't catch too many Raptors games but I was awed by how fast he was up the court. I had to Google him.

did the same thing when they drafted him. I had barely heard his name before but when i looked up highlights I was like... ok I have no idea if this guy will be good, but he will be one of the 10 fastest guys in the NBA from day 1.

[cupcakesnake]

Ok I want to interject on this Draymond vs. Siakam talk.

This became a popular comparison because Siakam emerged this year as a dynamic switch everything defensive player who pitched in on offense and allowed Raps fans to imagine a small ball identity built around his talent. He is by NO MEANS in the same class as Draymond yet, and any Raps fans pushing this are the Raps fans that embarass all Raps fans on this board.

In reality, we haven't seen Siakam play any significant numbers at center. Draymond's beastly strength is a huge part of his game and will never be part of Siakam's. Siakam can switch onto 1's easier than 5's currently. That being said, Siakam is absolutely an elite athlete. Draymond is... not an elite athlete.

It is not hard to picture Siakam as a super elite multi-tool on both sides of the ball that you can build an identity around. Raps fans should be excited about his future. Just stop confusing his future with his present.

[mademan]

His combination of size/defense/length/athleticsm and ok ball handling skills are pretty alright. His hustle and motor are also amazing. If he wasnt drafted as a senior and was 22 instead of 24, he'd be getting a lot more hype

[VanWest82]

He's really the classic Raptors player. Unheralded non lottery pick that turned himself into a surprisingly good player, and someone who completely vanishes in the playoffs.

[Patsfan1081]

I love this board. OP asks for opinions from non Raptor fans and of course it's immediately followed up by Raptor fans calling him a future superstar and a better Draymond Green. People just can't help themselves. The guys a nice rotational piece/first or second guy off the bench on a contending team. Def a good pickup for where he was drafted, was an older red shirted freshman coming out of college and will be 25 this season so it will be interesting to see how he developes. Not sure who I would have rather have kept between him and Poeltl as I think he will really thrive under Pops also.

[Patsfan1081]

Probably a homer but he’s amazing. It’s funny how him and FVV were probably are two least hyped draft picks and they are appearing to be our best young guys

FVV wasn't drafted...

[droopdog7]

Good player. Won’t be great, not a multiple time all star, but a guy most teams need and would love to have.

[jimross]

Pascal has Paul Millsap type upside. He really needs to work on his 3 but he's the best prospect on the Raps. Extremely high on his future.

[OfficialRef]

his physical tools are amazing and he seems to be a hard worker. Hes a jumper away from being a great role player type. I feel he will be one of the extremely unique role players like draymond.

[RapZilla]

I love this board. OP asks for opinions from non Raptor fans and of course it's immediately followed up by Raptor fans calling him a future superstar and a better Draymond Green. People just can't help themselves. The guys a nice rotational piece/first or second guy off the bench on a contending team. Def a good pickup for where he was drafted, was an older red shirted freshman coming out of college and will be 25 this season so it will be interesting to see how he developes. Not sure who I would have rather have kept between him and Poeltl as I think he will really thrive under Pops also.

I know.... Fellow Raps fans can you please restrain yourselves?

The OP was asking for NON RAPS FANS.

Take a break.

[lebron stopper]

Probably a homer but he’s amazing. It’s funny how him and FVV were probably are two least hyped draft picks and they are appearing to be our best young guys

FVV wasn't drafted...

Even better!

[lebron stopper]

Good player. Won’t be great, not a multiple time all star, but a guy most teams need and would love to have.

I hope him or Anunoby start over Serge "flaming trash" Ibaka.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I think he will play better as a 5. Poetl leaving for San Antonio is a good thing for his development. He will get more opportunity. I think a lineup of OG at the 4 and Siakam at the 5 is pretty darn mobile.

[Mylie10]

Just want to know what people other than Raptors fans think of him. We all seem to value him highly and think he is gonna have a really good year. What do you guys see and what is his value around the league?




Its the drew league but he dropped 38 points 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a game

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Was also the D-League Finals MVP

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I love the dude. I think at some point he needs to be a starter, whether its with Toronto or not. He can really d up at times, and he's got tools on offense. Love his athleticism. However, i don't think he's a dude that can lead a team, but more like a damn good piece eventually.

[Mylie10]

All I know is he's better than Draymond and a lot of people are gonna say the same this season especially when he improves his 3 pt shot

How is he better than Draymond? Please try to enlighten me so I can destroy your attempt.