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The second arrived within the sport’s opening 12 minutes when the Raptors performed host to the undermanned and underwhelming Orlando Magic on Saturday evening at Scotiabank Enviornment.
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In that first quarter, Pascal Siakam sunk a basket and handed former No. 1 total decide Andrea Bargnani for fifth place in profession scoring as a Raptor. In actuality, nonetheless, it has taken for much longer, with appreciable work and sacrifice by Siakam, the 28-year-old energy ahead who has embraced the function as franchise face.
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Stats are one factor, legacy fairly one other as Siakam’s ascension and title recognition proceed to evolve and enhance.
It’s too untimely to delve into the ‘all-time nice’ dialog, however the baller often called Spicy P has come a good distance in his six-plus years in Toronto and has already earned his place among the many group’s high gamers.
And barring some main harm or unlikely deal involving Siakam, there’s each cause to consider this one-time rim-runner and power presence coming off the bench has the potential to set every kind of group information.
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Of the 4 Raptors nonetheless forward of him on the group’s profession scoring listing, no participant has the general talent set of Siakam who’s, in some ways, a self-made participant.
DeMar DeRozan was not identified for his defence and was usually extra miss than make from distance.
Vince Carter had essentially the most explosive expertise, however he caught up within the off-court politics, agenda and ego that led to his departure. Had he performed longer in Toronto, his scoring numbers would by no means have been matched.
Chris Bosh was the franchise face, despite the fact that his sport was higher suited because the second or third possibility, a task he excelled at when teaming up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami.
Each DeRozan and Carter will probably be Corridor of Famers. Regardless of what Raptors apologists would have you ever consider, Kyle Lowry is a borderline Corridor of Famer who was as soon as traded to New York earlier than the Knicks nixed the deal.
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Siakam excelled within the function of second possibility in 2019 when Kawhi Leonard lifted the franchise to its NBA title.
However he’s the first possibility on this Raptors unit, a task and accountability he’ll embrace for so long as he stays in Toronto.
Head coach Nick Nurse, who has seen first hand the work Siakam has put in over time, was requested post-game Saturday if he noticed the day when Siakam would rise to such lofty scoring heights.
“Most likely not,’’ mentioned Nurse. “He’s executed lots of work.”
Siakam’s ball dealing with abilities are a lot improved as is his courtroom imaginative and prescient. He can shoot from each spot on the ground, assault the rim and defend. In different phrases, there’s nothing he can’t do on the courtroom, although the one space he can refine entails a constant knock-down jumper from distance.
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Off the courtroom, it’s onerous to glean what sort of management qualities Siakam has and the cache he wields contained in the room — particularly with Fred VanVleet at present occupying that function.
Siakam has performed 5 video games since his 10-game absence with a strained adductor muscle, trying extra comfy every time he has stepped on to the ground.
In Saturday evening’s 121-108 beatdown of the Magic, Siakam performed simply lower than 31 minutes, scoring 26 factors by taking a cost-effective 15 photographs. His 10 dimes had been a sport excessive, he would add eight rebounds and make all seven of his free throws whereas yielding just one turnover.
On Monday evening, the conference-leading Boston Celtics come to city for his or her first hook-up of the season. And until the Celtics are fully out of sync, Siakam and the remainder of the Raptors will probably be challenged rather more than they had been towards Orlando.
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The matchups are interesting, whether or not it’s Siakam being guarded by Jaylen Brown, O.G. Anunoby versus Jayson Tatum and no matter matchup Nurse has in retailer for Scottie Barnes.
The Raptors had horrific begins in highway losses to the Pelicans and Nets. Then got here the go to by the Magic and all was forgotten. Toronto had 5 dunks within the first quarter and scored 26 paint factors to guide 36-22 after 12 minutes.
“They got here out like a group that was decided,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “Anunoby set the tone early.”
Anunoby made 12 of his 17 photographs to pour in a game-high 32 factors. He resorted to bully ball by dominating inside and posting dunks.
“I prefer it when he goes down there (within the submit), he’s making a transfer and abruptly he’s dunking it,” added Nurse. “There’s some energy to get to that spot after which there’s lots of burst left on the finish.”
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
