Pascal Siakam Deserves NBA All-Star Recognition

Despite the Indiana Pacers’ struggles this season, forward Pascal Siakam is turning heads with his performance. His scoring average stands at 23.6 points per game, ranking him 21st in the NBA. In the Eastern Conference, he is the highest-scoring power forward and third overall, trailing only Lauri Markkanen and Deni Avdija.

Pascal Siakam’s Performance Metrics

Siakam has reached the highest usage rate of his career. However, he faces significant defensive pressure as teams often double-team him. Last season, he was double-teamed on approximately 12% of his touches, but that has increased to around 16% this season. This defensive strategy has impacted his shooting percentages. In the previous season, Siakam shot 51.9% overall, but this year, he is at 48.3%. His three-point shooting has dropped from 38.9% to 37.5%, and his two-point percentage has decreased from 56.8% to 52.0%.

Impact of Injuries on Team Dynamics

The Pacers have faced a challenging season, using 24 different players due to injuries. This has made it difficult to build team chemistry. The team has struggled in games when Siakam was unavailable, losing to the Golden State Warriors 114-83 and to the Detroit Pistons 121-78, marking two of their lowest-scoring games this season.

Siakam’s All-Star Consideration

Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Pacers, has been a vocal advocate for Siakam’s inclusion in the NBA All-Star Game. After a critical game-winning shot against the Boston Celtics, Carlisle emphasized Siakam’s impact on the game, stating, “It’s fitting that Pascal had the ball on our last possession.” He believes Siakam deserves consideration for the All-Star roster, especially given his individual performance despite the team’s record.

Coach’s Advocacy for Siakam

In his weekly radio appearances, Carlisle has been actively promoting Siakam’s candidacy by reaching out to other coaches in the league. While acknowledging the complexities of All-Star voting, he highlights Siakam’s standout season and repeatedly mentions that he’s a key player, even if the team’s overall performance isn’t stellar.

All-Star Voting Landscape

As discussions about potential All-Stars continue, several players are considered “locks” for the Eastern Conference, including:

• Cade Cunningham
• Jaylen Brown
• Jalen Brunson
• Jalen Duren
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Donovan Mitchell
• Jalen Johnson
• Tyrese Maxey
• Scottie Barnes

This leaves three spots for players such as Siakam, Michael Porter Jr., Desmond Bane, Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo, and Karl-Anthony Towns. As the voting unfolds, Siakam’s individual achievements could make a compelling case for his selection as an All-Star, despite his team’s challenges.