Monday, January 2, 2017

pascal

The Toronto Raptors have a rookie power forward in their starting lineup -- 6'9" Pasccal Siakam, a native of Cameroon, the small Central African country.


Siakam averages fewer than 20 minutes of playing time per game. He's getting only about 5 points (and less than 4 rebounds) per game. Those kinds of numbers won't impress anyone.

Yet, Siakam has played in every game this season. In fact, he has started every game this season -- for a Raptors team that currently holds the 2nd-best record (23-10) in the Eastern Conference.

Obviously, Raptors coach Dwane Casey sees something. And I bet he's seeing some of what folks down in Las Cruces saw the past two years. At New Mexico State, Siakam was the WAC Freshman of the Year for the 2014-15 season. In 2015-16, he was good for 20.2 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game, shooting almost 54% from the field.

I didn't think he'd be an NBA starter in his rookie year, but there he is. And it looks like he's got a high ceiling, as they say.

Here's how he did in Toronto's 123-114 win over the Lakers last night: 31 minutes, 3 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 5 personal fouls. Doin' the dirty work, apparently.

For more, see this article: Raptors Rookie Pascal Siakam Is Something Special

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