You must feel a little sorry for basketball fans in Canada.
While they may enjoy their own national league, when it comes to high-level basketball, they have only one NBA franchise to call – the Toronto Raptors.
So what a tremendous boost it was when the Raptors brought the NBA championship back to Canada in 2019 at the end of a stellar season.
They haven’t been able to replicate that feat since, but there’s a feeling that 2022-23 could be the campaign Toronto is in or around when the NBA Finals kick off in June.
Siakam aims for star status
Although he was selected to the All-NBA Third Team last season, you sense Pascal Siakam would have been a bit disappointed not to be more widely recognized for his efforts on the court.
The 28-year-old had 1,551 points in the regular season and ranked seventh in total rebounds in this elite group that broke the 1,500 point cap. Siakam also ranked eighth in the NBA in personal fouls taken and in the top 30 in free throws made and assists.
In short, he was an all-court star who was once again underestimated by the sport’s major kingmakers.
The good news for Raptors fans is that Siakam will remain at Scotiabank Arena, with Bobby Webster able to battle trade suitors ahead of the new campaign.
The bad news is that his contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, and the only likely way Siakam could be persuaded to stay in Toronto beyond that is if they are able to secure the NBA championship this season. or the next. To that end, those who love betting on the NBA in Canada know that +4000 odds leave the Raptors plenty of work to do to nab market favorites Boston Celtics (+500), Golden State Warriors (+600) and LA Clippers (+700).
But at least their Cameroonian ace will have the bit between his teeth after being overlooked for All-Star selection last season…
The advantage of youth
Raptors president Masai Ujiri has signaled his desire to rebuild his franchise around Siakam and a core of young stars.
Toronto has been torn apart after winning the championship in 2019 – Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Kyle Lowry simply cannot be replaced overnight. But the rebuilding is gaining momentum, and players like Fred VanVleet — an All-Star now, remember — and Gary Trent Jr have delivered career-best campaigns thanks to the confidence of head coach Nick Nurse.
And then there’s NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, who is further proof that investing in the sharpest young talent could yield long-term gains for Toronto.
Barnes was so good in 2021-22 that just replicating those efforts will be quite enjoyable in his sophomore year, and he – aided by Siakam, Trent Jr and VanVleet – can form the backbone of a roster of Raptors that has the class to deepen the upset of the playoffs. Others, like 22-year-old Precious Achiuwa, are proof that investing in youth can pay dividends on the pitch, and with a determined Siakam on board, powered by a point to prove, perhaps Toronto can s expect to celebrate another NBA championship. at the end of the season.