Who’s Better: Bam or Siakam?

[Iggie]

Bam Basic: 16.2-10.4-5.1-1.2-1.3 on 11 FGA at 57% shooting, 8% from 3, 69% from the free throw.
Bam Advanced: 20.6 PER, 61%TS, 21 usage, 4.7OWS, 3.7DWS, 8.4WS, .175 WS/48, 1.6OBPM, 2.0DBPM, 3.6BPM, 3.2VORP

Siakam Basic: 23.5-7.5-3.6-1-.09 on 19FGA at 46% shooting, 37% from 3, 81% from the free throw.
Siakim Advanced: 18.6 PER, 56%TS, 28 usage, 2.1OWS, 3.4DWS, 5.5WS, .135 WS/48, 1.7OBPM, 0.6DBPM, 2.3WS, 2.2VORP

The reigning MIP vs this years soon to be MIP. Watching Bam completely lock up Siakam for the 2nd or 3rd time this season had me thinking about this again (I’ve thought Bam was better all year, especially after Siakams hot start came to an end). It looks to me Siakim is only better when it comes to shooting from 3 and the free throw but Bam is better at everything else and his impact destroys Siakams. I think we see with Bam next year what we’ve saw with Siakam this year as well in terms of competing for MIP for consecutive seasons.

Who is the better player?

[NBA all the way]

The fact that Siakam leads the Raptors in usage% is actually kind of surprising to me but makes sense when tied to everything else.

[mrblisterdundee]

Siakam's obviously the better scorer, but I'd say Bam is slightly more valuable overall.

[Iggie]

Siakam's obviously the better scorer, but I'd say Bam is slightly more valuable overall.

In terms of skillset? Efficiency wise Bam is the better scorer but he can’t shoot like Siakam. I’d like to see what Bam would average if he shot 19 shots as opposed to 11

[Iggie]

The fact that Siakam leads the Raptors in usage% is actually kind of surprising to me but makes sense when tied to everything else.

Who did you think it would be? He’s their go to guy

[smith&wesson]

Siakam is the much more complete two way player right now. Maybe revisit this after Bam develops a bit more. Hes still getting better.

Siakam is a first option on the offensive end. Bam is what like the 4th or 5th option? How do you compare that? One doesnt shoot threes so ofcourse his percentage will be better when most of his shots are put backs or from offensive rebounds? Or shots coming within 10 feet? His offensive arsenal is no where near Siakams and thats the biggest difference.

[smith&wesson]

Who did you think it would be? He’s their go to guy

Which is why its kinda silly to compare their offensive usage and effeciency. Two completely different players in two completely different roles.

What would happen to Bams effeciency if he was made to be your first option and took 20 shots + per night? While defences are zoned in to stop him every night? I bet his effeciency wouldnt be nearly as good.. its common sense. Thats why you have Jimmy in the role and not Bam.

[NBA all the way]

Who did you think it would be? He’s their go to guy

I honestly didn't give it much thought. But just seeing him go from a 4th/3rd option last season to an unquestioned 1st option was just surprising to me.

[smith&wesson]

I honestly didn't give it much thought. But just seeing him go from a 4th/3rd option last season to an unquestioned 1st option was just surprising to me.

Because Lowry tends to shrink in the loffs on the offensive end, Siakam had the perfect opportunity to step in and become that 2nd option for the Raps during their ship run. After Leonard left he naturally became the first option. . Not alot of us expected him to take another leap after his mip season but he continues to get better. Last year gave him alot of confidence winning a ship as the 2nd option.

[Vee-Rex]

Are you kidding me? It's not even close.

[hugepatsfan]

I think Siakam is quite easily better. But Bam is an extremely unique modern 5 so I think there are a lot of teams that would prioritize him over Siakam it given the choice.

[Iggie]

Siakam is the much more complete two way player right now. Maybe revisit this after Bam develops a bit more. Hes still getting better.

Siakam is a first option on the offensive end. Bam is what like the 4th or 5th option? How do you compare that? One doesnt shoot threes so ofcourse his percentage will be better when most of his shots are put backs or from offensive rebounds? Or shots coming within 10 feet? His offensive arsenal is no where near Siakams and thats the biggest difference.

I’d have to disagree, he’s our 2nd option and he’s worlds better defensively. This guy can literally guard all 5 positions and lock up and the numbers with his matchups back this claim. Offensively he doesn’t score in as many ways as Siakam but he’s more efficient and he’s a better passer. He’s expanded his game out to the mid range now too so the next step is the 3 now. His numbers destroy Siakams outside of PPG

[Iggie]

I think Siakam is quite easily better. But Bam is an extremely unique modern 5 so I think there are a lot of teams that would prioritize him over Siakam it given the choice.

Can you go further into detail? Defensively Bam is far better, numbers wise he’s much better. Passing Bam is better. Siakam is definitely a good player but I don’t see how there could be much of an argument the more you look into it. Siakam is put in handcuffs when he’s guarded by bam too, just completely disappears.

[R. Johnson#3]

In terms of skillset? Efficiency wise Bam is the better scorer but he can’t shoot like Siakam. I’d like to see what Bam would average if he shot 19 shots as opposed to 11

He'd probably still be around 50% but a little under like Siakam. Bam's range is pretty limited outside of 10-15 feet and a lot of his scoring comes off the PnR or broken down plays. Siakam can create for himself.

Defensively they're similar with their versatility but I still give the slight edge to Siakam. Siakam has more quickness and can even keep up with PGs. Bam has that versatility but gives up a lot with rim protection because of it. Siakam isn't relied on to meet guys in the paint like Bam is and Bam is actually pretty bad at defending shots at the rim.

[Iggie]

He'd probably still be around 50% but a little under like Siakam. Bam's range is pretty limited outside of 10-15 feet and a lot of his scoring comes off the PnR or broken down plays. Siakam can create for himself.

Defensively they're similar with their versatility but I still give the slight edge to Siakam. Siakam has more quickness and can even keep up with PGs. Bam has that versatility but gives up a lot with rim protection because of it. Siakam isn't relied on to meet guys in the paint like Bam is and Bam is actually pretty bad at defending shots at the rim.

Range is definitely limited but he can create for himself a lot better than people think but these opinions are expected as of right now as he continues to make a name for himself.

Defensively though I couldn’t disagree more and I don’t even think it’s close. Bam is a far better defender and can guard 1-5. I can’t find the graphic now but I saw it on twitter within the last week showing the variety of players he’s locked up such as Giannis, Siakam, Westbrook, Harden, Curry, Embiid, etc. he should be 1st team defense but worst case he’ll be 2nd