Toronto Raptors: Player grades for first 2 weeks of the season

4. Pascal Siakam

Stats: 10.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 APG in 26.0 MPG, 59.4 FG%

As mentioned before in the Toronto Raptors’ season preview, the expectation was for Pascal Siakam to eventually come in and supplant Serge Ibaka from the starting lineup. We just didn’t think it would happen right away, with Nurse putting both of them on the floor at the same time as Ibaka plays the 5-spot.

Siakam’s game, in essence, has already shown improvement from last season. Box score-wise, the averages are up, but many expected to see a pretty decent bump in 3-point production this year. So far that hasn’t happened, as his percentage of makes from the 3-point stripe is a pedestrian-at-best 23.1 percent, on only 1.6 shots per game from downtown.

Nevertheless, he has made strides toward being a more complete player. Averaging 10.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with an above-average Player Efficiency Rating of 16.8 is not too bad. Monday’s game against Milwaukee shows that if he is unleashed as a full-time starter, he can be dangerous.

Aside from that small issue of 3-point shooting, he’s been doing great so far. His rebounding is also up, which is a key thing for him. For now, expect him to still be a key cog of this team functioning as an energetic role player.

Grade: B