Pascal Siakam had a rough ending to his season, slumping majorly throughout the playoffs as Toronto was eliminated in seven games by Boston, but he was rewarded Wednesday for his excellent regular season.
Siakam was named to the All-NBA second team, becoming the sixth Raptor to make one of the league’s three all-league squads. Only Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and DeMar DeRozan had made the second team as Raptors. Kawhi Leonard is the only Raptor to make a first team.
Siakam averaged 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 35.2 minutes in 60 games last season. He was one of just nine players in the NBA to average at least 22.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. He signed a maximum deal prior to the season that increased his future earnings if he made the second team. By doing so he will now make 28% of the salary cap, instead of 25%.
The selection came largely as a result of Siakam’s blazing start to the season. Coming off an NBA most improved player award, Siakam averaged 28 points and nine rebounds in five October games and 24, 8.4 and 4.0 assists in 13 in November, emerging as a fringe MVP candidate. He was also solid in December, but not quite as dominant from January-February, before struggling in five March games and then looking completely off offensively this summer. Still, he provided elite defence to go along with the offensive production, something not everybody on the All-NBA teams could say.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James were unanimous first-team selections, and were joined by James Harden, Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic.
Leonard, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Siakam made up the second team. Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Rudy Gobert, Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook made the third team.
Kyle Lowry received three second-team votes and 23 thirds.
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