For the fourth time in his NBA career, Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam has been selected to the All-Star team.
This selection is a bit of a controversial one, considering that Indiana is 13-36 and currently owns the worst record in the East. But given how good the Cameroon native has been this season, it's only fair that he gets his individual recognition.
Through 47 games this season, Siakam has averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.7% from deep. Though it's not leading to many team wins (which is far from his fault), Siakam is putting together one of the best seasons of his NBA career, and it seems like the rest of the league is noticing.
Pascal Siakam is crucial to the Pacers' success
The Pacers acquired Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in 2024 for one reason: to help establish themselves as legitimate title contenders. And so far, he has done exactly that.
In his first season in Indiana, he elevated the team and helped them reach their first conference finals in two decades. And last season, he did more of the same and played a big role in the Pacers making it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000.
Siakam has already established himself as one of the most important Pacers in recent history, and that trend should only continue as they aim to re-enter the title picture as soon as next season.
He may not technically be their most important player (this season is further proving why that title belongs to Haliburton), but Siakam isn't far behind. If the Pacers are ever going to have another opportunity to reach the NBA Finals and win it all, it's going to be because of what the two-time All-NBA forward does on the court.
Siakam has become Indiana's most reliable player since joining the team and is far and away its most consistent. He impacts the game in every level and has so much gravity that it makes life much easier for the rest of the team to do their thing.
There's no denying that this season hasn't gone as well as the Pacers had hoped for, even under the circumstances. But if there's one clear silver lining, it's that Siakam has stepped up in a way the team was desperately hoping for. And the rest of the league made sure to give him his props as a result.