For all his frenetic play — the spin moves around the basket to create space where it seems none exists, to the grab-it-and-go rebounding style that adds a much-needed dimension to the Toronto Raptors offence — the mind of Pascal Siakam remains calm and analytical.
In this breakout season, the 25-year-old third-year forward has emerged as a true force throughout the NBA because he’s always been able to figure things out and meet whatever challenge he sees.
The mental acuity, handling different defences and more attention from opponents than he has ever had to deal with, has never been more on display than in the NBA Finals that resumed with Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday night.