Pascal Siakam's Impact w/ Samson Folk (Patreon)

(My work at Basketball, She Wrote is typically paywalled. This film study, as an in-depth breakdown of how Pascal Siakam will mesh both offensively and defensively with his new team, is available as a free trial for everyone. If you're new here and want to support independent writing about actual basketball, please consider subscribing and/or sharing it around. Alright, on to the words -- in video form -- about the Pacers.)

By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper  

The Pacers are no longer winging it against wings. Rather, in the immediate wake of attempting to defend yet another All-Star caliber wing (i.e. Lauri Markkanen) with Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, and various other types of makeshift coverages, the Pacers have acquired an All-Star caliber wing-sized wing all their own: Pascal Siakam.

For insights into the intricacies and nuances of Siakam's game, there's no one better to talk to than Samson Folkof Raptors Republic, who is the best person covering the Toronto Raptors -- especially from the perspective of actual basketball. As such, after joining him to discuss the ins-and-outs of the trade from Toronto's perspective, he's agreed to watch film of the Pacers with me, focusing on how Siakam will mesh with his new team and potentially solve what have been some lingering problem areas for Indiana on both ends of the floor this season.

Let's get into it!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introductions

0:47 - Samson's overview of Siakam's evolving usage with the Raptors

3:45 - Let's talk about offense

3:52 - Siakam's ability to initiate plays when opponents face-guard Haliburton

16:30 - Siakam's effectiveness when defended by centers

26:45 - Siakam's best role against trapping defenses

32:00 - Siakam as a post-hub

37:00 - Let's talk about defense

41:39 - Siakam defending elbow/split actions against Giannis Antetokounmpo

45:22 - What about Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Karl-Anthony Towns, etc.?

51:48 - Siakam as the low-man in a scheme that aims to limit three-point attempts

58:42 - Samson's overall verdict on whether Siakam can be what the Pacers are missing

1:01:47 - Media reaction to the trade in Toronto

1:03:09 - Why Pacers fans should be overjoyed!

1:04:18 - Valuing players over picks

1:09:30 - Final Thoughts

1:13:38 - But wait, there's more: a teaser

Enjoy the video, and if you like my work here at Basketball, She Wrote, you will likely also enjoy Samson's work at Raptors Republic. Maybe, consider subscribing?