NBA: 6 biggest surprises and disappointments in 2019-20 thus far

Pascal Siakam – The new sheriff in town

The once unheard of Pascal Siakam is now the leader of the Kawhi Leonard-less Toronto Raptors. When Kawhi left for the LA Clippers in free agency, many wondered if the defending champs up north would be able to remain a competitor.

That no longer remains to be seen as Siakam has stepped up drastically from last season and taken over as the new centerpiece for this Raptors team. Last season was Siakam’s best year of his career. His minutes were raised as he soared up in the depth charts and he took immense steps up in all his stats thus winning the Most Improved Player award at the end of the season.

This year it seems we haven’t seen the best of 25-year-old as he is currently dropping 25, eight, and four shooting just under 50 percent from the field. Toronto is 9-4 and the 4th seed in the East as of now; a position very few predicted the Raptors to be in with no Kawhi Leonard.

Siakam, even with an injured supporting cast is leading the Raptors to the top of the eastern conference and shattering expectations held of him prior to the season.