Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ranking top-5 MVP contenders after one month
By Adam McGee
4. Pascal Siakam
Twelve months ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo completed the one year journey from Most Improved Player to Most Valuable Player, and this time around its Pascal Siakam who is looking to emulate that progress.
With the departure of Kawhi Leonard, Siakam has essentially assumed the role of leading light on the reigning NBA champions, and he has performed admirably under that pressure so far.
In fact, given just how rapid Siakam’s emergence into one of the league’s more talented young players has been, his case likely only gets further bolstered by just how undaunted he appears in the face of any challenge that comes his way.
Through 12 games, Siakam boasts impressive averages of 26.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, but unlike any player other than Antetokounmpo on this list, that production also comes with the Cameroonian’s ability to act as a game-changer and focal point on the defensive end.
All combined, the 25-year-old’s play has helped Toronto to an impressive 8-4 record so far, and that comes with a much more mediocre 4-4 when the Raptors have hit the road.
Siakam’s case could become a strong one as the season goes on if he can keep Toronto closer to their record from last season than most would have predicted when the Finals MVP left for L.A.