This season has been a rough one for Indiana Pacers fans, but perhaps nobody is feeling it worse than Pascal Siakam. And even head coach Rick Carlisle agrees (h/t Alex Golden of SI.com).
"The guy I feel for the most is Siakam," Carlisle said after the Pacers' 120-116 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday. "I hope that fans and media realize the type of year that he's having. I know how badly he wants to win games and bring these fans joy."
Indiana traded for Siakam two years ago to help establish itself as a title contender. And so far, he did exactly that. He played a big role in the Pacers' Eastern Conference Finals run in 2024, and he potentially would have won the NBA Finals MVP Award had they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.
Unfortunately for the Cameroon native, the team is not enjoying even a fraction of that success this season, though it's far from his fault.
Pascal Siakam is the biggest bright spot in the Pacers' nightmare season
The Pacers are currently 6-31. Not only do they sit alone at the bottom of the league standings, but they are also in the midst of a franchise-record 13-game losing streak.
Despite the team's struggles, Siakam is continuing to do exactly what he does. Through 36 games, he has averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.9 minutes. He is also shooting 48.3% from the field and 37% from deep.
The 31-year-old has far and away been Indiana's best and most consistent player this season, and it's fair to wonder just how much worse things would be if he weren't around. He is carrying the team on his back as much as he can, and he is certainly going to be an All-Star candidate this season, regardless of the Pacers' struggles.
In December, Siakam got real about the Pacers' poor play and called it "not fun."
"I really care about it, and I hate, I hate, I hate losing, so it's not fun," Siakam said. "It's hard. I don't think I've been the happiest. Maybe I have to fix it. I don't look good out there most of the time, just because I can't stand it. It drives me crazy. I'm trying to find solutions. I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to take it out, but it dictates my attitude and the way I am."
Nobody expected the Pacers to make it back to the NBA Finals this year, but nobody expected them to be this bad either. They own the worst record in the league, and they are five games behind the No. 14 seed Washington Wizards. The future is still bright in Indiana, but it's hard for fans not to be upset with how the team has played, especially once you factor in Siakam in all of this.
On the bright side for the Pacers, a high lottery draft pick this year is very likely, especially if they continue playing this poorly (and at this point, it's safe to assume they will). Furthermore, they should get Tyrese Haliburton back next season and be ready to re-enter the title picture. And in a wide-open Eastern Conference, there are reasons to believe they can be a legitimate threat again as soon as next year.
Until then, though, the Pacers and their fans will likely have to endure whatever this nightmare season will continue to bring. Much to the chagrin of those within the organization, and especially Siakam.