Breaking News: A Tribute To The Legacy Of Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam

January 25, 2024 emilysportnews-admin Toronto Raptors 0

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Most Improved Player, All-Star, All-NBA, Champion – these terms all aptly describe Pascal Siakam. However, there’s one label that truly defines him like no other: Toronto Raptor. In his farewell video and heartfelt Player’s Tribune article, Siakam emphasized that being a Toronto Raptor wasn’t just a role for him; it was his identity.

From a latecomer to the sport, a late first-round pick, a bench player, to a starter, and ultimately, a Champion, All-Star, and All-NBA player, Siakam’s journey epitomized the essence of being a Toronto Raptor – resilient, hardworking, always evolving, and committed to growth.

Choosing to stay in Toronto set Siakam apart from other star players who left the city. His commitment mirrored that of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, making him not just a player for the team but a true champion for the city and country. Siakam’s path to Toronto, from Cameroon to the NBA, is as remarkable as his transformation into a Toronto Raptor.

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Drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2016, Siakam’s connection with Masai Ujiri began earlier in Cameroon, where he caught the eye of Luc Mbah a Moute, leading him to the Basketball Without Borders camp and ultimately to Ujiri’s attention. Siakam’s raw athleticism and dedication to the game prompted his move to the USA, and his journey continued through various basketball camps and a stint at God’s Academy in Texas.

Siakam’s college career at New Mexico State University faced challenges, including the tragic loss of his father. Despite the hardships, he excelled and caught the eye of NBA scouts. The Raptors drafted him in 2016, and he quickly made an impact, becoming a starter in his rookie season.

The following seasons saw Siakam’s development, including a brief stint in the G-League, where he showcased his potential. The 2017 NBA G-League Championship with the Raptors 905 marked a significant achievement for Siakam, who not only became a champion but also earned the Finals MVP title.

As the Raptors made strategic changes, Siakam’s role evolved, and he became a crucial part of the Bench Mob during the historic 2017-18 season. Despite a disappointing playoff exit, the team’s record-breaking regular season showcased Siakam’s efficiency and potential as a starter.

The blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard in 2018 reshaped the Raptors, moving Siakam back into the starting lineup. Under coach Nick Nurse, Siakam’s game flourished, contributing significantly to the team’s success. The 2019 playoffs highlighted Siakam’s crucial role, with memorable performances against the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks.

In the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Siakam’s scoring prowess played a pivotal role in the Raptors’ historic championship win. Although Kawhi Leonard earned the Finals MVP, Siakam’s contributions were undeniable, solidifying his status as a key figure in the Raptors’ journey to their first NBA title.

While the court was filled with celebration, Siakam endeared himself even more to Raptors fans by proudly displaying the flag of his home country, Cameroon. At that time, he was only the sixth player from Cameroon to have ever played in the NBA. Siakam’s remarkable journey, starting the sport at 17 and becoming an invaluable part of a championship team, added to his appeal.

A few weeks later, at the 2019 NBA Awards ceremony, Siakam was named the 2019 Most Improved Player, securing an overwhelming victory with 469 points out of a possible 500 and 86 out of 100 first-place votes. The joy of winning both the championship and the MIP began to fade when, on July 9, 2019, Kawhi Leonard announced his departure from Toronto to join the LA Clippers.

Suddenly, Siakam found himself catapulted from a bench player to the top player and primary scoring option on a contending team. Recognizing the challenges ahead, with the departure of one of the league’s greatest players and Siakam’s increased role, Ujiri and Raptors management acted proactively. In October 2019, they secured Siakam with a four-year, $136 million contract extension.

Committed to the team, city, and country, Siakam, now a NBA champion and award winner, assumed the role of leading the 2019-20 Raptors in their quest to repeat as champions. His performance surpassed previous levels, with career-best averages of 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He also achieved a personal milestone by being voted in as a starter for the 2020 NBA All-Star game.

Selected by Giannis Antetokounmpo as the fourth overall pick in the All-Star draft, Siakam played alongside team captain Antetokounmpo and fellow countryman Joel Embiid. In the game, he contributed 15 points on 10 shots as Team Giannis narrowly fell to Team LeBron, missing the target score by just two points.

As you may recall, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly shortened the basketball season, limiting the Raptors to only 66 games. After a prolonged hiatus, the NBA resumed with eight regular-season games before the playoffs commenced in August 2020 at the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida.

During this resumption, Toronto excelled, securing a 7-1 record and finishing second in both the Eastern Conference and the overall NBA standings for the second consecutive year. Despite playing only 72 games, the Raptors achieved a franchise-best winning percentage with a record of 53-19, marking the fourth-highest number of wins in a season.

Despite the team’s success, there were noticeable concerns about Siakam’s performance in those games. Despite averaging over 20 points throughout the season, he only scored 20 or more points in two out of the seven bubble games he participated in.

Moving into the playoffs, Toronto demonstrated its prowess by sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in a four-game series, with Siakam returning to form and averaging just under 21 points on 18 shots per game. Advancing to the second round, they faced a tougher opponent in the Boston Celtics.

Siakam faced challenges in the first two games against Boston, scoring only 13 and 17 points on 16 shots each as Toronto fell into a 0-2 deficit. The Raptors rallied, tying the series at two games apiece, with Siakam rebounding in game four with 23 points on 23 shots. However, his resurgence was short-lived, as he failed to score more than 13 points in any of the remaining three games, resulting in Toronto losing the series in seven games.

Despite the disappointment, the release of the 2020 All-NBA teams provided a silver lining for Raptors fans.

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