It’s all happening for our big beautiful boy.
https://twitter.com/RaptorsMR/status/1062073574087811072
This past week, Siakam’s per game averages were impressive 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, with a heavenly true shooting percentage of 83.2. His usage rate of 18.2 percent was eighth on the team during the past week, yet he still managed to lead the team in scoring due to his outrageous efficiency.
Siakam’s week began with a 16 point, 7 rebound effort against Utah. Toronto won without star Kawhi Leonard, and Siakam managed the team’s second-highest plus-minus. He then scored 21 points on 11 shots against Sacramento before registering a career-high 23 points (on just 7 shots!) against the Knicks.
He’s done it all by displaying smooth aspects to his game yet unknown before this season. Siakam has turned into a terrific ball-handler, especially in transition, when the rare 4-1 pick-and-roll with him handling and Kyle Lowry screening has sowed terror among opponents. In the post, Siakam has impressive touch, especially with a righty finish after spinning counter-clockwise towards the rim. If players sag off of him to encourage the jumpshot, Siakam uses it as a runway to attack the rim; he’s shot 78 percent there on the season. Siakam even hit 3-of-4 triples against the Knicks. With that weapon functional, Siakam has the offensive chops of a proper all-star.
This is the first time this season that a Raptor has been named the player of the week. DeMar DeRozan won it on 10 separate occassions in the past two years, and Kyle Lowry has won it as well, though not since 2015-16. If Siakam builds on his blazing start to the season, there could possibly be more hardware coming his way. He has a strong case thus far for the Most Improved Player award, as even last year, Siakam’s game was far less smooth.
