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Toronto Raptors storylines to watch: All eyes on Kawhi Leonard

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 (C) of the Toronto Raptors is introduced to the crowd prior to the first half of the NBA season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 (C) of the Toronto Raptors is introduced to the crowd prior to the first half of the NBA season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Will Pascal Siakam win most improved player?

What Siakam has been doing this season is not going unnoticed in Toronto but it hasn’t received the same attention for many reasons. Raptors fans got a taste of it last season with the 24-year-old playing an important role with the “bench mob”.

Injuries have forced Siakam to play different positions in the starting rotation guarding multiple positions, with his athleticism. His offensive game is evolving and he hasn’t sacrificed his defensive game in the process.

Siakam’s play has earned him recognition as an Eastern Conference Player of the Week award back in November and he continues to thrive playing with a legitimate star in Leonard.

To think none of this would be possible had it not been for the Basketball Without Borders a development program that started in 2001 and made its way to Africa in 2003. Players who may not have been considering a career as a basketball player or didn’t have the opportunity benefitted from the program as Siakam did. The ironic part was the fact that he was not considering the camp.

Siakam told the Lowe Post Podcast that he didn’t want to be a basketball player and just wanted to see his sister who was living close to the camp. He took the program’s connections and turned it into an opportunity to move to America where he played in the NCAA for the New Mexico State Aggie.

He would go on to be the 27th overall pick for the Raptors in 2016 and is trending towards being a crucial part of the team’s core for years to come. Toronto is starting to see that as the Cameroonian is averaging 15 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists on 57.3 per cent from the field and 33.7 per cent from three.

Whether those numbers are enough to make him the Most Improved Player or not, Siakam should take comfort in knowing that his improvements are making a big impact for the Raptors.

"“Obviously it would mean a lot because that’s what I’m about,” Siakam told James Herbert of CBS Sports about being a candidate for most improved player. “I’m about improvement. So, like, that would mean a lot to me. But at the end of the day, I don’t look at that. I’m trying to just focus on my game, continue to work and get to whatever the highest level for me is.”"

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