Pascal Siakam on how he's evolved as a playmaker and passer

Yahoo Sports Canada Videos

January 15, 2022 at 11:23 p.m.

After posting just the fourth 30-point triple-double in Raptors history in Toronto's win over the Bucks on Friday, Pascal Siakam discussed his improved playmaking and passing ability and how that's helped him round out his game this season. Follow our Raptors coverage all season long on Yahoo Sports Canada.

Video Transcript

PASCAL SIAKAM: I don't know, I just think it's just part of playing. We go out there, we play, and I just try to come out with, every night, just the same intensity, same energy. And you know, tonight, I think we all played well, and we were flowing, and moving the ball, and just playing our brand of basketball. And I think it paid off tonight.

Yeah, I just think just trying to stay aggressive but not take any stupid fouls. I think that was just my mindset, really. Stay aggressive and kind of, like, watch for any offensive foul, or any cheap ones on defense. But you know, it's tough when you got [INAUDIBLE] to go out there and still play defense and do all those things. So I think, you know, I was just-- I was just trying to be smart.

- Go ahead, Jen.

- Thanks, Phil. Pascal, just so you know, we can't hear the questions here, so you may get a few repeats. So apologies for that. So don't worry about it. Go ahead, Michael.

- Hey, Pascal. You know, your playmaking has been really, really impressive the last six weeks or so. How do you explain, I think, the progress you've made on hitting some of those tough passes out of doubles? And tonight, really aggressive doubles from big guys, and you were getting the ball on the money, on target. What do you attribute that growth to?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I just think that, you know, it's just kind of like getting used to having multiple people guarding you. And I think that, obviously, it's an adjustment, and I'm getting better at it, you know, just reading the defense and making those passes. I just feel like I've always been a willing passer. You know? I just feel like I've always been in our offense, just moving the ball, and making sure I get the right passes.

And I think, obviously, it helps on nights where we're making shots and things like that. Or like, we make shots when we need them. So it's been great. I think just continue to grow. It's part of my growth, and just understanding the attention that you bring, and making your teammates better.

- Appreciate it. Enjoy tomorrow.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Thank you.

- Thank you. Go ahead, Josh.

- Hey, Pascal. Congrats on the win. And congrats on the triple-double. Chris was saying after the Phoenix game, that if you guys play like that against everybody, including the teams that aren't at that level, that you guys will be in a good place. And I know you and Fred have sort of shared similar sentiments throughout the year about kind of striving for that consistency. Is that just a product of a young team? And how do you get there, to the point where your kind of effort level's consistent every night?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, I think you can say that. I think that, obviously, we have a really young team. But-- and I think that we just got to understand how consistent you got to be in this league. And every team at any given moment can come and beat you. And I think that we have guys that are prideful, and you go out there, and against good teams, you go all out. And then I feel like sometimes the focus is sometimes not really there.

So it's on us. I think, obviously, me, Fred, OG, we got to lead the way. And just making sure that those games are super important. And without talking too much about it, just kind of put an emphasis on it, and make sure that we go out there every single night, and be pros, and give everything we got.

- You three were carrying such a big load offensively in the first half. How much did it help to have the other three guys, Justin, Chris, and Precious, step up and sort of take some of that load in the second half?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I just think that, again, like, it's about those reads. I mean, they're really heavy on kind of like pressuring us. You know, me, OG, Fred. And then they helping when we drive. So you know, we are willing to make the right plays, and I think those guys stepped up. Chris made some big shots for us. Justin made a good shot out there on the corner. And you know, I just think that those guy, Precious played hard, was guarding Giannis, and give everything. And I just think that that's all we need from them. Just coming in, be pros, play hard, and do the little things.

- Thanks, Pascal. Safe flight, man.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Thank you.

- Thank you. Go ahead, Mike [INAUDIBLE].

- Just a quick one, Pascal. Wanted to ask you, what are you expecting from Kyle on Monday?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Hopefully no charges, especially on me. I mean, knock on wood, but I feel like he's going to get a charge on me or something. But no, I just think that, again, it's going to be fun, just seeing him. I know-- I mean, I don't know what his mindset is going to be, but I think for us, it's just coming in, seeing a familiar face, enjoy the game. I mean, it's Miami, you go out there, have fun, play hard, and try to get a win. I think that's what we're thinking about. And at the same time, it's just good to see familiar faces.

- And on tonight's game, I mean, I think it was seven minutes left, both you and Fred sitting there with five fouls. How do you get through the final seven minutes like that?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah, no, it's tough. I just think that you try to be as smart as we can, and without taking away being aggressive. Continue to play defense, but just not taking any cheap fouls. And I think it helped also, like, taking me away from Giannis or Middleton, so I'm not really on the ball too much, kind of like be that help defender and make the reads and stuff. And Fred also did a great job with that. And I think that-- I mean, it paid off tonight. Nobody fouled out, so--

- Got it. Thanks, Pascal. Appreciate it.

- We'll do one last question in English for you, Pascal, then we have the gents from French Language Media. So go ahead, Aaron.

- Hey, Pascal. Congrats on the win. What does it do for you guys, having the three of you, you, Fred, and OG, able to sort of do everything, play off of one another, set screens, and all sorts of stuff? What does it do for your offense?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Oh, no, it's great, because I think that, you know, again, I feel like I have a mismatch every time, or most of the time down the floor. OG feels the same way, and then, you know, also Fred. So we can set screens for each other, have different match-ups, and again, just make reads. I think Fred did an excellent job making reads, OG did the same, when they were trapping us. And I think that that's what we got to do. And we have guys that are willing to do everything to win, and I think that's what matters.

- Thanks, Pascal. Safe travels.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yep.

- Thanks, Aaron. Go ahead, Mike.

- [SPEAKING FRENCH]