'I'm one of the best at my position there': Pascal Siakam on his post game

Raptors forward Pascal Siakam discusses the loss to the Celtics, the foul trouble he dealt with in the 1st half and his comfort in the post.

Video Transcript

- Your comments on the [INAUDIBLE]. Toda

PASCAL SIAKAM: Trying to get me in trouble, huh? I don't know. I mean, I just I think for me it's just like starting the game. It just can't be like Tik-Tok fouls. And then throughout the game, it's just like-- it disappears. So it's kind of frustrating. But hey, it is what it is.

- And what was your mindset going into the third quarter after having that long set?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, I sat down for like, I don't know how many minutes. So I was just trying to play basketball at the end of day. That was really-- like-- that was it. I just wanted to get into the game. I feel like I sat most of the game.

- On that last play-- well, not the last one. Derek White's [INAUDIBLE] Jaylin collapses the weak side zone, you have to follow him in. You guys, obviously, don't want to allow a wide open 3 point shot. If you could set the chess pieces right on that last point, what are you trying to do to make sure you can pick that up?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, I think you should try to help out the rim. Rotate-- I think we just got to keep rotating. Whoever is on, you got to take away the corner and we just got to keep rotating. We can't be late on those. I mean, that happens. I think the rim is like the first priority and then the corner, and then-- as it goes, you know? But maybe a better challenge on that 3, I mean. But he made a shot. It's a good shot. But yeah, I think just got to rotate faster.

- Precious was just in here and he was saying that the floor was a bit slippery. He slipped a few times. And a few of the Celtics players have mentioned that as well. Is that something you noticed at all out there and did it impact you at all?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, I think it was OK. I mean, I think at the end of the day, this is different for everyone, right? It's like all these courts are different. And I'm sure players are not used to it. And it's different from like different shoes. And I just think that it's a variety of things that you can really speak to. And I mean, I've heard in Dallas they didn't even play.

So it's everywhere. And I think it's got to be either, you know, we figure it out as player or there's something that's done on the other side. But I don't know if it was like particularly just unplayable. But, you know, I didn't really-- I don't think I slipped any time. So I don't know.

- Pascal, games like this when you're working in the post a little bit more-- it's happened a couple times before this season. Are you sensing or noticing that certain guys on the team are better able to read you and cut around those post-ups.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah. No-- because I just feel like, again, for me that area of the floor I think I'm one of the best at that position or all my positions to play there. And I think, again, just reading the game. And I feel like, you know, it's either you help or we get a good shot most of the time. And when you help, it's like we still get a good shot because I'm going to make the right play.

So I think that-- yeah, I think it's instant offense for us, I feel like. And guys like Jakob, like Scottie, like all those guys read off of me. And I just also feel like once we give ourselves like space, it's easier to either score or find the right pass. So yeah. I hope we do more of that.

- The numbers back you up, so.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah, I think so too.

- Has there been any difference in how teams have started to guard you. Some teams, they come from the top on the double. Some teams come from the bottom or some teams try to do both and just completely over blow. How has that changed over time? As, you've mentioned you're one of the best in the post.

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah. No, I think that, again, I've seen different coverages and it's just a read. And to me, like I said, I think as long as our spacing is good, I don't think it matters like what they do, really. It's just like, it's from the bottom side or the top side, defenders come in and help. Either I have the shot or somebody else got a open shot, like wide open. So I think it just-- to me, I've seen it enough that I feel like no matter where the help is coming from, I can definitely make the read.

- Pascal, I guess after one month and a half with Dennis Schroder next to you on the floor, what do you like the most about playing next to him?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think like the pace. Obviously, like picking up guys, being aggressive, like just on defense. And then for us, we got to continue to push the pace, putting us in position. And I think the more we get familiar with each other, the more I think it's going to get better. But obviously, like I said, it's a process for all of us to try to figure it out. But yeah, for me, I just like the speed and tenacity on defense. And then just like the pace. We got to continue to have our pace and he's a big part of that.

- You guys limited Tatum to four points in the second half. Is there something you guys were trying to focus on to contain him?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, he's a great player. So I think you just try to do your best. I thought Scottie did a good job on him. And obviously, we had to help contesting his shots. Again, sometimes he's going to make them, sometimes he's going to miss them. But yeah, I thought we did a decent job on that. And yeah, kudos to Scottie as a primary defender and I think all of us just like helping out, and good contesting. Yeah. I'm happy he didn't make some of those shots.

- So-- OG is a guy who guards up a lot of times and people are impressed, like [INAUDIBLE]. Jrue Holiday is very similar to that. With a defender like that, who's trying to take-- beat you up. He wants to beat you up. What's the key to getting--

PASCAL SIAKAM: I mean, I think I have the size advantage. So I think it's just using that. And obviously, he's, quick strong. And I can't speak for anyone, but I think for me, it's just like trying to use my size as much as I can because if you're trying to like out quick him, he's really quick. And so, yeah. I think that's what I think about.