Before the start of the season, Pascal Siakam had set himself very high goals. After more than an encouraging first few months that seemed to lead him straight to the All-Star Game, the Toronto Raptors player has slowed down badly.
The NBA’s only Canadian team will not be represented at the annual classic as 20 different teams send one of their players to Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on February 19th.
“It is. It’s out of my control. I control what I can and I keep pushing,” Siakam said Friday before the game against the Houston Rockets, which the Raptors won 117-111.
The Cameroonian had his best moments in December with an average of 28.3 points. On December 21, he gave himself a Christmas present with 52 points against the New York Knicks. However, his month in January was far less convincing, with the Raptors piling up losses and Siakam settling for 22.4 points per game.
“I don’t play for that,” Siakam repeated. Of course, individual awards are something special, but that doesn’t motivate me. At the same time, you want to be in a situation where there is no debate. It’s easy to say to myself, “I could have done that,” or to point fingers at myself. I have to look in the mirror and do my best.”
Blame the raptors
The Raptors, with a record of 24-30, have not performed satisfactorily in the eyes of many this season. Toronto could miss the playoffs as they are only 12th in the Eastern Conference.
The fall was staggering compared to last year when Queen City officials finished fifth.
“I feel like Pascal is having a season worthy of the All-Star Game. We’ve benefited in the past from being one of the best teams in the East and we’ve had some star players, some of them for the first time. This year we are not where we want to be in the standings and I believe that [l’omission de Siakam] is a direct result,” said head coach Nick Nurse after the win over the Rockets.
“It’s disappointing because I want the boys to achieve their individual goals.”
In 2022, Fred VanVleet was the only Raptor invited to the All-Star Game. Siakam had his only selection two years ago, along with veteran Kyle Lowry.