Toronto Raptors: 4 burning questions as they enter the season

Toronto Raptors: Four burning questions as they enter the season

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

3. Can Pascal Siakam be the number one option long term?

After a tremendous season that saw some call for him to have a chance at consecutive Most Improved Player awards, the playoffs were not what fans of Pascal Siakam and the Raptors had been looking forward to. For the second season in a row, he looked overmatched and inefficient when it mattered most. So is this an issue that can be solved?

At the risk of coming across as noncommittal, “maybe” feels like the only answer. In the first season that his numbers suffered in the playoffs, it was his first season as a full-time starter and he was in a loaded lineup where he was at best the third option. He was also only 24. This year he was experiencing his first postseason as the number one option and may be able to improve with time.

light. Related Story. Raptors starting lineup: Ranking the starting 5

The other positive indicator is ever-increasing dominance in the regular season. Last year as a first-time leader he improved to 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He shot 35.9 percent from distance, which is a loss of a whole percentage point but when considering his attempts leapt from 2.7 to 6.1 per game. He was also second on the team last season in defensive rating for anyone who played at least 25 minutes per game, behind only Marc Gasol.

Siakam has all the tools to be a special player and as he gets increasingly comfortable in his role he should be able to thrive. While this is something of a transition year for the team Siakam can use it to springboard himself to the next phase of his evolution.

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