Toronto Raptors: Can Pascal Siakam throw a wrench in pre-season expectation?

Can Pascal Siakam change the course of the Toronto Raptors’ season in 2021-22?

The Toronto Raptors are not expected to make the playoffs in 2021-22. While many believe that they won’t be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, they’re also not expected to finish as one of the top 8 teams in the East either.

Or, at least, that’s not the expectation.

Nevertheless, even though there isn’t much expectation for the Raptors heading into the new season, there is one player on the team that could change the math on it all.

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After a season in which he took a bit of a step back, Pascal Siakam will have the opportunity to officially take the reins of the team. And if he can come through as the lead man in Toronto, it could very well change the ceiling – or expectation – for this team in 2021-22.

Siakam had back-to-back strong seasons from 2018-20 but struggled last season with his shooting efficiency as the Raptors as a team struggled out of the gate. If Toronto is going to jump back into the top 8 in the East, Siakam is going to have to have a big bounce-back season this year.

And there’s no reason to think that Siakam can’t come through for the Raptors. He’s going to be set up for success and is a player that has impressed with every passing year of his career – with the small exception of last season.

He can stretch the floor as a big, is a good defender, and is growing as a post-player. Even though there are times when he struggles with his confidence, the hope is that is something that will only grow with experience and repetition.

Specifically, in the playoffs two years ago (the restart bubble), Siakam struggled while only shooting 40 percent from the field and 19 percent shooting from 3-point range. Those struggles may have carried into the 2020-21 regular season, and that’s the biggest concern when it comes to Siakam and the Raptors heading into this season.

With less pressure and expectation, and perhaps somewhat of a restart, Siakam might be in the best possible position for this point in his career. The training wheels are off – without Kyle Lowry – and he’ll need to step up as the team’s primary leader next season.

Siakam has experienced the highest of highs (winning the NBA Finals) and then the lowest of lows (missing the playoffs entirely) with the Raptors over the last few seasons.

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Now, what awaits the team this season could fall squarely on the shoulders of Siakam. While he may not have been ready for such a lead role in the past, Siakam has the opportunity to change the narrative and raise the ceiling for the Raptors this season.

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