NBA – Pascal Siakam: “My qualities can adapt to any environment.”
In his eighth season in the NBA, Pascal Siakam will be under a new coach. But Toronto’s Cameroonian winger isn’t too worried. He believes that his qualities will allow him to adapt to the Serbian Darko Rajakovic, who will become a head coach in the NBA for the first time.
Almost everything in Toronto needs to be replaced. With Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Kawhi Leonard and most recently Fred VanVleet, several executives from the 2019 NBA championship team have left. Even coach Nick Nurse pulled anchor in April after a third season failed to meet management expectations. The rebuilding is taking place with the Serbian Darko Rajakovic, who can be considered a rookie. The 44-year-old coach, a former assistant at Oklahoma, Memphis and Phoenix, is the new choice of the Raptors’ Nigerian coach Masai Ujri.
“I went through all the roles.”
He can rely particularly on Pascal Siakam to carry out his reconstruction mission. Despite several departure rumors, the Cameroonian winger has remained loyal to the Canadian team. He was drafted in 2016, has progressed through every rank and experienced every status: rookie, basic role player, lieutenant and now franchise player. How does he feel about this change on the bench? No big worries. “There is a new coach and a new philosophy. As for me, I’ve gone through all the roles since I’ve been here. I remember when I just had to run and receive passes from Kyle.” [Lowry]. I’ve been through everything, I’m just a basketball player. So I’m not too worried about these questions. I know that at the end of the day, my basketball skills will adapt to any environment and system.” assures PS43.
“Pascal opens up space with his moves.”
In any case, his new coach Darko Rajakovic is happy to be able to rely on him.“Pascal does a great job and that makes him even more efficient. He cuts, he moves without the ball, he opens spaces with his movements. But you know, at the end of the day you can’t hide talent.” “He’s an outstanding player and the ball always naturally ends up in the hands of the best players. I’m proud of him and his commitment in the first three days of training camp.” says the Canadiens’ new technical director.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”