NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Pascal Siakam should win the Most Improved Player Award

#1 The stats never lie

Siakam saw a monumental rise in his production this season

Pascal Siakam averaged 4.2 points, 0.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds in his first season in the NBA. These stats improved to 7.3 points, 2.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in the second season. However, Siakam's stats have peaked to 16.9 points, 3.1 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game this season. He is no longer a big man who can provide some minutes off the bench but has become one of the leaders in the starting lineup on whom the team can rely upon.

His field goal percentage has improved to 54.9% and the number of minutes played has gone up to 30.9. The best aspect, though, has been his three-point shooting. Siakam is no more a player who can be left open on the wings. He shot a healthy 36.9% from beyond the three-point line this season which is a nearly 15% increase from the previous campaign.

But it wasn't only his offense that caught the eye. Defense is a factor which succinctly differentiates Siakam from the rest of the contenders. He has been excellent on the defensive end and has always met the expectations of his squad. He has quite often taken the responsibility of marking the best player of the opposition when Leonard is not on the floor and done remarkably well.