Pascal Siakam made an emotional return to Toronto on Wednesday evening, including converting a bank shot that sealed the Pacers‘ victory with 25 seconds remaining, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
“I tried to stay focused on the game as much as I could, but it [was] just hard, just coming in here and seeing so many familiar faces and reflecting on everything,” Siakam said. “Coming back here after eight years, just to see the reception and people being so genuinely happy for me, I think for me that was the most important thing. … I couldn’t really ever dream of that. It means a lot, so I appreciate everyone for everything. I’m humbled.”
As Lewenberg writes, Siakam seems truly happy to be playing for Indiana, which is a contrast to the “unfortunate end” of his tenure with the Raptors, who traded him to the Pacers last month.
“It feels amazing,” Siakam said before the game. “[From the moment I got to Indiana] it’s just been so much love, so much appreciation and just like overly supportive in everything. It feels good to be in a place like that. I’m just looking forward to continuing to be there and just have an opportunity to do something special with that team.”
A source tells Lewenberg the Raptors reached out to Siakam’s camp to see if he’d be interested in a three-year, maximum-salary extension before the 2023/24 season began, though Lewenberg cautions that the offer was “informal, at best.” Siakam, meanwhile, wanted a fourth year added, and talks broke down after that.
Lewenberg believes the Raptors took Siakam for granted, but the two-time All-NBA member is “excited to have the opportunity” to play for the Pacers. The 29-year-old is set to hit free agency this summer and is widely expected to sign a long-term deal with Indiana, which holds his Bird rights.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Speaking to JJ Redick on his Old Man and the Three podcast (Twitter link), All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton admitted he might’ve taken another game or two off following his hamstring injury if he didn’t have significant financial considerations at stake. Haliburton’s rookie scale extension features Rose rule language, which means he’s eligible to make 30% of next season’s salary cap instead of 25% if he makes an All-NBA team. However, he needs to play at least 65 games to qualify for major postseason awards due to a rule change in the new CBA.
- Indiana held a brief players-only meeting following Monday’s loss to Charlotte, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “Some things were addressed after the game,” center Myles Turner said. “We all got together and we spoke without the coaches and just talked it out and I think we’re headed in the right direction.” However, Turner was miffed by the team’s performance, starting with his own. “There’s no excuses, man,” Turner said. “This isn’t the first time this has happened this season. It starts with me as a leader of this team. Our defense just wasn’t there tonight. I wasn’t very good defensively tonight. I think as a whole going into All-Star break, these games matter. I don’t think we had the right mindset tonight.” As Dopirak notes, while the Pacers are currently 31-25, the No. 6 seed in the East, they have several losses to teams at the bottom of the standings, including the Hornets (twice) Trail Blazers (twice), Wizards, Grizzlies and Raptors.
- Veteran sharpshooter Doug McDermott is “thrilled” to be back with the Pacers, who traded for him prior to last week’s deadline, according to Dopirak. “It feels good to be a part of winning basketball,” McDermott said. “I haven’t really been a part of that in a couple years. Just to be a part of the Pacer organization, I’m super excited but very thankful for my time in San Antonio. I’ve always felt like this place is home for me. It’s kind of the place where I revamped my career.” The Midwest native previously played three seasons with Indiana, from 2018-21.
Raptors kinda stink huh
Barrett has picked up his game with the Raptors. 20.5/6.9/3.5 on 55/37/64 shooting. The ft% looks like regression to the mean from his time in NY (83% there, but his career he’s about a 72% ft shooter) but his eFG and TS% is outright impressive at 60% eFG and 61% TS. Even his on-ball defense has been better. Good signs.
Him, Quickley, and especially Barnes are the nucleus this new Raptors team will be built around.
Has he picked up his game or is he just surrounded by less offense?
Not convinced that nucleus is getting you anywhere. In 2 years are they better than like the Kings today? Pacers? I think they need a marquee guy or they’re bound to be what the French call, les incompetents.
I honestly think he has. He’s cut out all of the bad midrange attempts and become more aggressive at the rim, in the paint, and especially off the catch. And with his corner shooting, he’s forcing players to close out on him or get sniped.
It’s not like a massive surface improvement, because he’s still taking a similar number of shots. Hell, if anything, he’s taking fewer shots than the last couple seasons. But he’s getting more out of those shots. Typically if it’s just the same guy taking a bigger offensive load, the opposite is true.
The Raptors current problems are a lack of chemistry (because of a bunch of trades), mediocre defense from the PF and C spots, and a lack of good options outside those three. The rest of the roster is either not really a good fit, or just too raw or mediocre to help them. The starting 5 is +11.6 ppg per 100 possessions.
So, what you’re saying is the Raptors can’t shoot from the outside, defend or build chemistry? Huh, wonder why they’re not a good team right now.
As for Barrett, he’s always been a streaky scorer who knows what he should be doing, but doesn’t consistently do it. I mean, RJ shot 40% from 3 in 20-21, but instead of working on his D to become a 3 and D type, he went back to bad mid-range shots, a terrible 3PT and even worse D in 21-22. Some guys never put it all together, even if they’re very talented like RJ is. There will be a regression at some point, just give it time.
The failure to read is strong with this one.