Pascal Siakam hasn’t been great but he hasn’t been horrible. The best thing he’s been during these NBA seeding games is even-keeled.
In his exalted role as the Raptors’ closer and first offensive option — a Swiss army knife of shooting, passing and handling double-teams — Siakam’s greatest gift may ultimately turn out to be his mind.
He’s going to take a lot of shots and is therefore going to miss a lot of shots; his ability to soldier on will be his gift to the team. He gets that.
“I think it’s part of my growth as a player: understanding that some nights you might go 5-for-20 but it don’t really matter as long as you have that same energy, play on defence,” the 26-year-old forward said.