Toronto Raptors: 3 players with the most to prove as the NBA returns

Toronto Raptors with the most to prove: Pascal Siakam

Finally, we can shift gears to Pascal Siakam. Last season, Pascal had a break out year where he blossomed into a solid No. 2 option behind Kawhi Leonard. Where every part of Pascal’s game improved, his scoring, his passing, his shooting, and his defense all got better. Ultimately Pascal’s improvements led to an NBA championship, a most improved player award, and a max contract extension.

However, after the departure of Kawhi Leonard, many fans wondered if Pascal could take the next steps and become a true No. 1 option. Luckily for the Raptors, Pascal did just that, where this season Pascal absolutely shattered expectations averaging roughly 24 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep. Pascal has been leading the Raptors all season long and even became an all-star for the first time ever.

What makes Pascal’s rise even more impressive is how he manages to improve each and every single game. As defenses start to pay more attention to him, he has gotten better at scoring through contact and being able to create for his teammates. Not to mention Pascal is still great on the defensive end of the floor being able to guard multiple positions and sometimes being tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player.

So with the NBA returning in July, why does Pascal have the most to prove? The answer is really because although the regular season is important, the playoffs are a completely different atmosphere especially if you are the No. 1 option. Last season, we saw the amount of effort it took Kawhi Leonard to lead the Raptors to the NBA Finals, and he did so by putting up Michael Jordan type numbers.

This season the road to the playoffs isn’t any easier in the Eastern Conference, with the Bucks hoping to continue their dominant season and teams like Sixers, Celtics, and Heat getting closer to their potential. This is why although Pascal has had an impressive year so far the real test for him will be how he fares in the playoffs where he is the primary target and defenses can scheme for him in more detail.

Pascal needs to prove that he can keep up the numbers he put up during the regular season in the playoffs and be the type of dominant two-way player Kawhi Leonard was last season. Siakam is definitely capable of taking the next steps in his game, the question remains will he do it and we will only know the answer to that when the season resumes.

If Pascal Siakam can prove that he can be a prime time playoff performer than there is no doubt the Raptors have found their next number one option of the future to hopefully have a chance to repeat as champions once again.