From being ignored to the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals! The unanticipated Sika!

. But he did not retreat, but just kept stepping into the court and repeating every move, getting used to all kinds of fatigue and failure.

The second year, Siakam averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game, and he still thought about participating in the NBA draft.

In the draft, although Siakam had the potential for an all-round forward, he was questioned because of his awkward skills and his basketball concept was not yet mature. His figure and skills still need to be polished, and he was finally selected by the Raptors at the 27th pick in the first round in 2016.

The starting point of his career was not smooth, which led to Siakam's start later than most people. Although he was in good health, he lacked the basic concept of basketball. The movements are stiff, the offensive choices are immature, and even simple off-ball running and defensive rotations require more time to understand and adjust.

These problems allowed him to stay in the Development League most of his time, and the Development League coach asked him to perform defense and participate in the fill-up run. He was not set as the center of offense, but quietly did every task he could do.

The head coach and players could see Siakam's potential conditions and his blank area, giving him great freedom to adapt to this level of game at the lowest risk. His teammates actively encouraged him to try three-pointers, and even if he missed ten goals, he should not lose the courage to take the eleventh goal.

Kesey, who was the head coach of the Raptors at the time, continued to accept that he made mistakes on the court, and gave him more tasks to absorb and grow, while Siakam silently accepted everything in a way that rarely complained. He began to take root in those inconspicuous positions, learning to understand the game, predict the route, and adjust his moves. In the third year, he gradually became the most versatile player in the Raptors after Leonard, winning the fastest-progressive player. In 2019, he and the same underrated team won the championship.

Perhaps most people focused on Leonard's God of War at that time, but the support Siakam brought as the second in command cannot be ignored.

And after Leonard left, Siakam began to take on more responsibilities. The role changes also change the pace of the game. His style of playing has never been a gorgeous star. His offense and defense rely on game judgment and offense and defense rhythm, rather than a simple explosive style.

When the defense starts to target him, when the team loses its main force, and when winning becomes increasingly difficult, Siakam gradually loses the halo of his past. It’s not that he is not working hard enough, nor is he unwilling to carry more, but the team structure, direction and timing of building the team are no longer as suitable as they were back then. Although his personal data is still stable and his playing style is comprehensive enough, it is still difficult to change the direction of his overall performance.

Since losing to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals the next year, the outside world's evaluation of Siakam has begun to fade. He is classified as "not qualified first choice" and "a player with good defense but limited ceiling". Those past applause gradually turned into doubts about his upper limit.

In the face of these problems, Siakam never defended himself, but just continued to work hard for the team. It was not until the team ushered in Barnes with higher potential that Siakam finished the journey and was traded to the Pacers.

This is a young team with a clear direction for team building and a distinctive style of controller Halliburton. No one knows what role Siakam will become here. Some people say he is a reinforcement for the team's transition period, while others say he is just a passerby on the expiring contract.

But this season, he once again took a familiar position. He is not the most watched protagonist, but silently holding on to the core of the game. His offense and defensive transformation, offensive footsteps and projection space once again became the key to the team's ability to move forward.

In the playoffs, his offense and defense efficiency continued to rise. Although he is not the most eye-catching one, he can always make the right choice when the score is in a stalemate and the team's rhythm is in chaos. Now, he is no longer just a foil role, but a MV player in a series.

Standing on the championship stage again, Siakam is still not the person he is most looking forward to, but this is not surprising. This opportunity is a microcosm of his entire career. Even though he was never the first person to be seen, now that he is able to get here, he is enough for many people to see it.