Stephen A. reacts to the Pascal Siakam trade: They aren't ALTERING the balance of power 👀
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, Michael Wilbon and Malika Andrews react to Pascal Siakam getting traded to the Indiana Pacers from the Toronto Raptors.
✔️Subscribe to ESPN+ espnplus.com/yo...
✔️ Get the ESPN App: www.espn.com/es...
✔️Subscribe to ESPN on UA-cam: es.pn/SUBSCRIBE...
✔️ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on UA-cam: bit.ly/SUBSCRIB...
✔️ Watch ESPN on UA-cam TV: es.pn/UA-camTV
Let me translate what Stephen A. said, "we want to talk about 3 teams. Since they're not one of them, we'll just say it doesn't change anything."
Exactly pacers I think they can reach the semi finals this year , with this help of siakam
@@jdmm3243lmfao you’re really funny man you a comedian?
They've already beaten all the top teams in the east it could easily happen but you probably get your knowledge from ESPN @@Todd-DaGod-Howard
Pacers kept their core, traded 3 late first round picks, and got an allstar player who fits their system. Bravo pacers
1yr rental free agent next season. if the Pacers fizzle out in the playoffs Siakam may become reluctant to re-up there.
@@1RobertSmithL take
This team will finish top 4. Pascal is a competitor with experience, a reason to play, and he is a positive energy guy. The fact they kept Hield, Mathurin, and their other young players is incredible. This will help Hield the most. He will be rejuvenated to go for it.
Hield is on an expiring contract with good younger players at his position he's as good as gone by the deadline... why would he need to be "rejuvenated" anyway? He hasn't won anything so what is he bogged down by? Doesn't really matter tho he's on his way out either way 😂
@meezysquad Could be true. But as a bench player in a playoff run with more vets to carry the load he is an asset imo.
I guess. Def a good trade though
Siakam is a legit 2nd option
@@RyanSheppard-tq4pg OH for sure I couldn't agree more, I really like Hield's game he can ball I just think he's done in Indiana
It's apparent espn sport's analysts are about big market team success, I can guarantee if the Lakers have acquired Pascal Siakam, Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, Michael Wilbon All would've praised the trade
Facts💯✔️🎯
SAS opinion on basketball should not be taken seriously anymore. Dude said that the OG Knicks trade was awful.
He didnt say that he said it didnt move him😂
He's too focused on the Lakers to worry about any other teams 😂
I don't think he ever said that
He's been a joke for a long time. He only likes big market teams. Dudes are a detriment to sports journalism
@@BandoEbk-d2d 🤡 🤡 🤡
Toronto fan here. Pascal is an amazing addition to the Pacers and absolutely has the potential to alter the balance of power. Super solid player in every respect. I think the Pacers (if healthy) can compete with any team in the east at this point in a seven game series.
I live in Indiana and I honestly feel like this makesus a top 4 team IF we keep Budd and Mathurin keeps improving
It’s cuz where u stay bro
As someone who's watched Siakam since he entered the league, I think pundits are seriously underestimating the fit and how good Pascal is. Pacers are gonna be scary is my guess. They already were.
Raps fan here, you got a stud! 🤙
Love Mathurin
No one an say for certain - which is where Stephen A. always falls down, playing the prophet. 😄
But, as a Toronto fan, I'd say Pacer fans should be excited. Pascal works as hard as anybody, ever. A mature, delightful and decent human being. Pascal was fantastic as a starter, during our Championship run. Showed Draymond Green who was boss. And is highly underrated as a defender. Experienced. Long. Quick. Active. Very Smart.
And paired with Tyrese Halibirton???
A lot of Raptor fans are going to be watching and pulling for Indy come these playoffs. Best of luck to him and to you. 😊
Holy these guys don’t watch the Raptors. Pacers added an All NBA two way forward with high defensive upside, and add him into an already elite offense, giving up virtually nothing of their current core. Haliburton, Siakam, and Turner all together is the perfect combination of playmaking, scoring and defense. Then throw the good shooters and competitive role players they have on Toppin, Mathurin, McConnell, Hield, Jackson, Smith, Nembhard, it’s nuts. This team is built perfectly to make a deep playoff run in the modern NBA
Jimmy butler is smiling at you all 😂
@@benezirmaru6796Pacers have already beat Butler without Haliburton. Now just imagine if they have Hali AND Siakam.
Of course not but they are making competitive moves and I like it. Good stuff from the Pacers.
i bet they beat the knicks in a best of 7
Exactly they keep those young stars for another trade. Potentially Donovan Mitchell
Philly better make a move
@@hooligan5381too bad they not playing each other first round nice dream😂
@@StreetmoneyRae13 you a down bad knicks fan shut up last time yall won my grandma was 12
They can absolutely beat any team in the East outside of Boston
no question, people acting like the sixers and bucks don’t have serious flaws
@@Braylenc123 Currently the Pacers are number 1 on offence and they just added to that with Pascal but they are 26th on Defence which is their major flaw and that would affect them in the end and why they can't be the Number 1 team in the East.
@@jojothepolyglot1866Pacers have changed up their lineup about 15 games ago and since then they have been a top 10 defense against some of the best offenses. They have already beat the Celtics twice this year. Theirs no reason they cant do it again.
@@jojothepolyglot1866 you’re overlooking a lot
People always write off Miami Heat when are we gonna learn 😂
These us media are so clueless because they don't know how good of a player Siakam really is 💀
I feel like most of the media has amnesia every year. The Heat just went to the Finals as the #8 seed. Anything can happen in the playoffs AND does every year, yet every year media acts like the teams outside the Top 3 have no chance.
Good trade for the Pacers
People about to find out how good Pascal really is when he's not doubled every time he touches the ball
Stephen A would have a completely different take if the Knicks picked him up, even though the Pacers are just as good if not better than.
That's why I don't watch for their opinion. I tune in to watch when they are reporting news or trades, but their opinions are so biased. lol And its all simply for entertainment. They have to play into their character and say outrageous, hyperbolic stuff. lol Because they are wrong WAY more times than they are correct about anything. lol
No he wouldn't Stephen A is a fake Knicks fan he hated on the OG trade why would he love this one? Pascal doesn't fit with the Knicks anyway
Baby steps in the right direction.... Small Market teams have to fight their way up.... I'm glad the Pacers have decided to fight
Stephen Smith is a perennial Raptors hater. Doesn't surprise me he'd undervalue the impact Siakam can have on a contending team.
They don't beat the Celtics but this definitely makes them neck and neck with Philly. I'd also add that they beat Milwaukee 3 times this season. Granted, it's the regular season, but it means they're at least competitive. As a Knicks fan, I definitely think this pushed us further down the list of contention
@@skincarver1797Yep. It is dumb for Stephen A to say the Bucks are better. The Pacers owned them without Siakam lol. They are 7-4 against the top teams. They can compete this year.
They've split with Boston already wym
Celtics aren’t really all that Tatum is overrated and KP barely can stay healthy. Brown the only guy I’m worried about fr
@@skincarver1797The Bucks-Pacers series ended in January, which is a long time until the playoffs. Things can change until then (trade deadline; team efficiency/chemistry).
I agree as a BIG Pacer fan tht knows we give the Bucks nightmares, I'd still pick the Bucks in a series. The Pacers are still built for the future. They were the 3rd youngest team in the league pre-trade & kept all the young guys. Pacers in 2 years is what's going to be scary. They're likely too young to win a series this year, but I hope I'm wrong. In a few years though look out
Indy is a young team so saying they’re a 4th or 5 seed growing together and can still bring in a someone in a major trade will be scary but as long as Adrian griffin is coaching the bucks it ain’t gonna scare anyone
Does this make them title contenders? No. But I think this makes them CLEARLY the 4th best team in the East. It’s only a 1 game difference between the Cavs at 4 and the Pacers at 7 and once they get Haliburton back, I think they’re taking off. And idk how you can be so quick to discredit them when they’ve been VERY competitive with the Celtics, the Bucks and the Sixers this year. Like they’re 4-1 against the Bucks this season. Siakam is the most perfect fit for them at the 4 and he’s a legit All Star/All NBA guy. He’s one of the best fastbreak players in the league and you have the best fastbreak team in the league with a PG who LOVES to push the pace every play and get down the court. Like it’s so seamless. Also adding a guy like him who can get his own shots is particularly huge in the clutch because they can’t just double Hali and dare everyone else to do something because they have Siakam now. I’d say they’re now 1 more piece away from being a real threat to come out of the East
Pacers can be scary, but I hope extending Siakam doesn't hinder them in the long term. This is good move for the Pacers right now and hopefully the young guys can still develop with this move.
They're 2-2 against Boston this season
Tell me which SF-PF (available) that can bring the offense and defense that Siakam bring at near all star level? He was the best available on the market without breaking the bank. The Pacers will improve defensively just having him defending on the perimeter. Mathurin's role becomes much clearer now moving forward with Bruce Brown gone.
Wiggins was another option but the Pacers are way better off with Siakam long term...just much more consistent offensively.
I can’t be the only raptors fan who is hurting from losing pascal and og , so many good memories .. sad to see them go
They are gonna be crazy good with Pascal, SAS is such a casual it’s ridiculous.
The pacers hate won’t end until they make it far into the post season then everyone on espn will be on their side. Always switching up.
ESPN always underrated Siakam. If you are a Pacer fan, you're getting a great player. Hali is going to open up crazy space for him to work and he is going to cook. He is a solid, versatile defender. They are going to terrorize teams in transition. Lowe was saying Pacers are number one team in transition, Siakam is #1 scorer in transition in the NBA, Hali is #1 playmaker in transition in NBA. It is a perfect match.
Pacers literally have the Bucks number in match ups this season - everyone acting like we didn’t just beat them 4-1 this year and now have an upgrade. Pacers are not the top tier yet but we are a bad match for the Bucks and we’ve beaten Boston a few times. Give some respect to the facts -
I’ll say this for the record. Pascal wasn’t even at his peak when he won the 2019 ship with Kawhi and afterwards, all the teammates slowly left. He never got a chance to blowup and become great. He has that chance now in Indiana. Mark my words. Indiana is going to slaughter the bucks and Boston with Pascal on there team.
Pascal with three guys who can space well, one being the center in Turner, will allow him to feast in the paint and high post. Toronto didn't have the right guys around him for years, but Pascal will be great with guys that play fast and shoot
I can see the pacers getting to the eastern conference finals but not winning the whole thing 💯
Raptors EASILY WON THIS TRADE! It doesn't make sense to pay MAX ($250M+) for a guy who is turning 30 who has PEAKED to be on your team who can't beat: Celtics, 76ers, Bucks, or Heat in a Playoff Series.
Raptors get Draft Picks and immediate financial flexibility with Bruce Brown who has a Team Option on his contract after this season.
Pacers have owned the Bucks this season without Pascal 4-1. They've split with Boston 2-2. They've split with the 76ers 1-1. I'm not sure I'd be confident saying they can't beat them after adding Siakam.
If you really don't think they gave a chance to beat those teams, then you're just feeding into the media narratives. Which if you pay any attention, their narratives are wrong 90% of the time. The other 10% is just luck. lol WITHOUT Siakam they've beat the Bucks every time but once, and split their games with the Celtic and the 76ers. The Pacers vastly inprove their team by adding Siakam. And you are acting like Siakam is washed.
Not only is he not washed, but he is perfect for the Pacers system. I feel like on any given night the Pacers can win a game no matter who they are playing. And no doubt they could 4 times in a 7 game series. Am I saying they will for sure? No. But they def have a much better shot than you're letting on. And the Pacers still have the assets to make another move if they want.
Siakam is still in his prime. He's 29.. not 34. Playing with Haliburton will make him look even better. Siakam just didn't have a roster around him in Toronto to compliment him. Just a bunch of forwards. Now he's got the best passing PG, and a bunch ot shooters around him. He'll have plenty of 1on1 ISO opportunities and lobs.
It is possible for both teams to be helped tho. Toronto gets picks and cap flexibility. Pacers get immediate help for Hali, which we have the money for. 2 of the picks are from the same draft..(which is a bad draft) and theyre both in the 20s. Which will be role players. Pacers dont have room for more rookies anyway. Good trade for both teams.
this is a good deal for both teams, just like the Anunoby trade. Pascal is going to have room in the paint with all the scorers the Pacers have and has a great p&r partner. The Raps are probably going to package those picks with players to get more young talent, Masai isn't finished yet.
Stephen A we all know you don't watch Raptors games thats why you have no analysis of how this impacts the East
Pacers were already better than the Knicks, I think this move ties them with Miami for fourth best in the east
Pacers won’t win in a 7 games series vs Knicks
U funny
@@goldenokoko3211u must be drunk huh 🤦🏾♂️🤔
@@goldenokoko3211Give me the lottery numbers since you can tell the future.
This trade make the Pacers top two in the East easily, Milwaukee can’t defend, Bos & Phi aren’t good in Playoffs Series basketball
Pacers are contenders and can definitely contend with the heavy offense they have. There’s not really a scary east team I can say for sure is bound eastern conference champions.
Once Hali comes back healthy, this team is gonna make a Run 💯
This makes Indiana a second round team instead of a swept first round team.
If it’s not L.A or N.Y these guys don’t care
I see pascal being a seemless fit in indy too. Good trade and i think we will see that right away
I actually think this makes them top 4 in the east. I think the style of play makes this a perfect fit. Long term though i don't know how good mathurin will be but for this season, they'll make noise. They are better than my knicks and im sorry but why does miami automatically get mentioned like if they have a great team. I dont see it, love bam but I don't see them beating the better teams just because last season. If they make ECF ill be shocked
Don’t forget 7 months ago the Heat were representing the east in the nba finals with the same team 🔥
What the Heat have is evidence and proven results. 2 finals in the last 4 seasons. The Pacers are in similar standing as the Knicks if anything the underdogs with an outside chance to knock someone out in a 7 game series
Bucks Heat and Celtics are the only teams that have represented the East in the Finals this decade
The most energy in Indy since 2013
I believe that together Hali and Pascal can take a jump similar to how Sabonis and Fox did together.
I think this team could absolutely beat Philly, Turner shutting down the paint with Siakam covering weak side and pressuring him on ball, plus neutralizing his defense by getting out and running and PnR’s in the half court with Siakam/ Turner and Halliburton. I honestly think they could take it to the bucks as well, they have all year with out Siakam and they should have at least as good of a defense as them now (not saying much) and I would argue a better offense in terms of the way they play together and off one another so effectively. I don’t think they can hang with Boston as is, but we will see how healthy they are come post season. I don’t think they have a great chance to win the title, but I could at least see a path now where as I could not before
Essaying 😂
@@fchillaxing it’s like 2 paragraphs, if it’s too much for you to read then don’t strain yourself muh dude🤙🏻
The Pacers are not beating Philly (especially not in a series) when Philly is fully healthy, stop it. Even with Siakam in the mix. 🛑
@@admxom guess we’ll find out🤷🏻♂️ pacers play better as a team and I trust Halli way more in half court sets than I do Embiid.
Stephen A has no credibility unless the Lakers or Knicks are involved. Dudes probably hasn’t watched a Pacer game outside of the IST this year
SAS I am calling you out!! you don't have an opinion of your own! you are just doing it for clicks from certain markets!!!
He's right though. He's a good player, but he ain't not big time star that changes a franchise. Even Bob Myers said the same thing literally right after Stephen A so clearly there's more to it than just him saying it. You're only defending it because you're suddenly on the Pacers bandwagon like everyone else just like how casuals were saying Kings were strong contenders last year and Grizzlies year before and Knicks year before.
The only time that SAS really care about the Pacers was when PG13 was there
The title can be misleading. I was going to criticize SAS for a casual take but he was simply answering the direct question asked. Milika asked a stupid question that she even stated “ she knew what the answer would be”.
Pacers are shooting for Hali and Mathrin to be their number 1 and 2 . Plus walker has scary potential
Underrated trade 💯
Bruce Brown will be missed. He was quite productive playing for the Pacers.
Indiana is not ready for SPICY P... he's too spicy
Still putting the bucks over us seems crazy we won the season series against them lol 😊
Stephen A. is so mediocre
Because he's just yapping about nothing
Pacers are 4-1 against bucks and 2-2 against Celtics. Add siakam and the can very much win. But the experts don't mention that
It’s because the playoffs are different. The Pacers need to prove it first before the “experts” change their minds.
Stephan doesn’t know anything about players who played in canada. Get lost
They got better but they are not winning a chip
Clearly not this year. They were the 3rd youngest team in the league pre-trade. Only Pascal has any winning playoff experience. Turner made it a few times but they lost 1st rd. U just don't go from being picked pre-season to miss the Playoffs to winning a chip. Now in 2-3 years w/ as good as Hali is... Not crazy. Almost all of them will get better.
Good trade for Indy. Stephen a is a forever bitter Knicks fan
Us Knicks fans don't claim him
Stephen doesn't represent the Knicks he's not real Knicks leave the Knicks out of this.
Tony made some real good points! Knows how to see the subtle possibilities, which Steven A usually misses
Please don't mention the Dallas cowboys to Stephen a Smith that's his girlfriend
They’re in the dark horse territory
In the East it’s
Tier1 Celtics Bucks
Tier 2 76ers Heat
Tier 3 Knicks Pacers
Then the other playoff/in teams
Why wouldn’t the 76ers be in tier 1? They have the best player in the east
@@murph4lyfetrue I’d switch bucks with 6ixers
Pacers have owned the bucks this year 3/4 times
@@murph4lyfe lack of faith in them to perform in the post season I’m not falling for their trap again until they prove it. Last year I thought they should’ve made the finals. And for many years in a row I thought they should’ve been in the ECF.
Honestly I should put Miami slightly ahead of them but they lost some of their shooters that helped them last year
@@jordanpence7864 Bucks have been champs and Celtics have reached the Finals or at least ECF consistently. It’s gotta be a combination of how they look now plus who they’ve shown themselves to be when it matters
They just solidified a top5 seed in the east ....
Pretty good move, considering they were sliding hard
I’ll never forget where I was when I got news that pascal siakam was traded to the pacers.
PACERS NUMBER 1🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Indiana is a problem for anyone with their offense. Now you add a championship tested player in there? Dangerous team even though I don’t like how cocky and arrogant they can be
Siakam and Turner are a talented frontcourt. Both can do everything.
Steven A is a known and proven hater that doesn't know basketball.
I would love to see a Milwaukee and Indiana series with everyone healthy. Time will tell 😊
Pacers in game 5
Pascal is a great Robin to Tyreses Batman.
As a Toronto fan I wish him all the best this year and hope he gives those long suffering Pacers fan a ring
Buck lost 4 out 5 to Pacers BEFORE that trade...! Bucks should be worried...
makes them better.....
EVERY series in the East is GOING to be an actual 'series'!!! ; ]
Pacers is going to the second rounds this playoffs
indiana is 4-1 against milwaukee this year. Milwaukee never stood a chance against them before this trade. easily the top teams in the east are now Boston, Indiana, Milwaukee, Philly
I wish the coverage of the nba regular season would change. Its always "the players/fans dont care about the regular season" it starts with the media dismissing the regular season.
This season the pacers have shown they are a tough out in the east and these games matter when it shakes out in april. Hali and Siakim* is a deadly combo and pascal is already on pace to have the most layups and dunks in his career. This move makes that almost a surity. Im not even a pacer fan just observations of coverage and the nba
Former Warriors GM Bob Myers must've been very sad knowing an assistant coach Dejan Milojevic on the Warriors passed away today from a heart attack suffered last night at a team dinner on the road in Utah.
Lets look back at this conversation in April.
The day ESPN realizes a basketball discussion with Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, Michael Wilbon and Malika Andrews kills brain cells for anybody watching is the day they might be taken more seriously.
Pundits don’t like this move because the Pacers aren’t a sexy destination. Has nothing to do with how good the team actually is. Basketball is a game of matchups and with everyone healthy the addition of Siakam allows them to matchup with everyone.
Haliburton bout to average 15 plus assist AG, Raptors was the number 1 fast break team followed by the Pacers, on top Pacers is the highest scoring team in the NBA, this was a amazing trade
3 first round picks for a guy on an expiring deal is kinda crazy. Especially one that isn't a top 10 player
Bob and black supremacist Stephen A. is right. This doesn't make them a whole lot better because he's just a good player. He isn't a franchise altering superstar that makes them championship contenders. I originally picked them to finish 7th or 8th as play-in team, but this probably just guarantees a 6th or 5th seed as a playoff team at best. They still won't be a top 4 seed or anything. The biggest issue is still their defense. They're the second worst defensive team in the league and this doesn't really change it at all. The reason for most of their games won was because they get hot and outscore their opponents like crazy. That's not going to work in the playoffs. You can't win a championship by trying to score 140 every game when the opponents scores like 135.
Siakam makes Indiana a 2nd round exit at best
Spicy P is a perfect fit for the Pacers and not gonna lie both teams got a great deal 😮
Good move by the Pacers. No team is the absolute favorite to win it all this year, so you might as well roll the dice and see if your number is called
I agree it is as wide open to win has ever
lol Stephen a clown self only knows like 3 teams so it’s no point in asking him he thinks the nba is a fantasy league
Stephen A has to watch the in season tournament again. Pacers are better and if Tyrese is double teamed, you have Siakam who can score.
Good Trade 💯
Longtime spicy p supporter, his game will absolutely open up , when Kawhi left he had to make it happen with constant doubles . No spacing , man is a walking mismatch . Can’t wait to see him and Halliburton play
Why are ppl sleeping on the pacers like that. Pacers have an actually wing/fwd that can defend/score and size to guard guys like Giannis. This is a good trade pascal can play the 3 4 and 5 based on his size and skill. The pacers have another consistent solid scoring threat
So...despite that they have beaten the top 3 teams in the east a majority of the time..without siakam..they don't think this makes the pacers more of a threat!?? You guys are off your rockers!!😅
Stephen A on brand hating anything related to Canada
So? Nobody likes canada
Future Prediction: The Pacers vs Knicks in the Playoffs, the Pacers win and Siakam is a is part of that win.
Future Prediction: The Pacers vs Knicks in the Playoffs, the Knicks win and OG Anunoby is a part of that win. P.S. It could go either way if both teams are healthy.
The disrespect on Siakam is crazy
They absolutely are lol. Hali and Siakam might be the best duo in the east in terms of fit.
They smash on the bucks all the time tho
Milwaukee ain’t scared of Indy 😂💀
Trust me nobody ain't scared of Milwaukee either, Boston and Heat will clap them as always.
These guys straight hate siakam. Dude is a multi all nba player and a champ
In a celtic fan and i feel it puts them right there with the top 4 teams. Mainly bc they play 10 deep and Haliburton is a Magic johnson type player with a shot. Still playoffs is no joke so long term aslong as pacers keep the core and get experience they will be in contention
Correct. I've been saying Hali is the closest thing to Magic since Magic. I think they're too young (3rd youngest in the NBA pre-trade) to just go from no playoff experience to an ECF, etc. the NBA doesn't work like tht BUT they kept every young player so give them 2 years & they could be the team to beat in the East.
Boston is talented but also has tons more experience & heartbreaking losses in the Playoffs. That's almost required to be as good as they are. Talent wise Indy is as good but Boston's talent has way more big game experience. Same w/ the Bucks. Rmbr the pacers goal was to make the playoffs as a young team. The gm knows they'll have to take some lumps.
All they do is underestimate us. Can’t wait to put one of your media darlings out the playoffs.
its unreal the amount of hate from these people and you can tell they're disappointed that their favorite teams didn't get him
The thing that these pundits don't get is to never underestimate teams that fly below the Rader. This year's playoffs is going to be full of surprises. Am not a Pacers fan but these upgrades them and if am any of these top three teams I don't want smoke with the Pacers because they gonna be even faster stronger and more experienced then ever. 2024 playoffs is going to be astronomic- Knicks and Pacers are going to make noise and is not even trade deadline yet, some few tweaks will be made while their two new players of Siakam, and OG gell with their teams.
Stephen A's actual basketball knowledge could fit in a pinhead
ABSOLUTELY nothing? Pacers already have beaten the bucks 4 times this year and are one of the few teams to give the Celtics trouble. Pascal has already whooped on Embiid in the playoffs and can help a new team do it again.
Pacers could seriously upset some teams this playoff run
I was just about to say this exact thing! Great point!
Indiana is stacked with talent 🔥🔥🔥
Shout out to the small market teams.