Spicy P is his name, and getting buckets is his game! Pascal Siakam has taken over where Kawhi Leonardi left off and is absolutely dominating for the Toronto Raptors, ultimately making a more legitimate MVP case than his aforementioned ex-teammate had.  As of Nov. 15, Pascal Siakam is fifth on NBA.com’s MVP ladder, higher than Leonardi had been at any point last year. Over  11 games, Cameroon’s finest  averages 27.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks a game on 49.1/37.3/84.2 shooting splits. Though the stats are impressive, the most shocking thing about Siakam is his growth; just two years ago he averaged seven points, five rebounds and two assists, and only eight years ago he was not even playing  basketball. Siakam had wanted to be a priest before attending a Basketball  Without Borders camp hosted by the legendary African prince and NBA player Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. 

The Raptors currently sit at 8–3, tied for second in the NBA and boasting one of the best defenses in the league, which has held Lebron James to 13 points, Kawhi Leonard to 12 points and Damian Lillard to nine points in three consecutive games, and it all started with Pascal Siakam’s hustle and energy. 

The Raptors’ new superstar isn’t alone, with teammates OG Anunoby and fellow late-bloomer Fred VanVleet blossoming in their newly enlarged roles. Montreal native Chris “Le Bloc Québécois” Boucher, Rondae “Rich Homie” Jefferson and newcomer Terrence  Davis have brought hustle, energy and an insane defense to every single game, changing the course of games for the Raptors. I wrote this entire paragraph just so I could use Chris Boucher’s new nickname — got to support local talent.

Next up, lightning round: What’s going on around the NBA?

Carmelo Anthony joins the Portland Trailblazers. Very exciting; let’s go! One of the greatest scorers of all time gets a well-deserved break.

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the New York Knicks.

Andrew “Maple Jordan” Wiggins is getting wiggy with it, averaging 25.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 47.8/36.1/73.6 splits. Wiggins is leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 7–4 record, good for the 6th seed in the West.

The Phoenix Suns are going crazy! With one of the hardest schedules in the NBA, they currently have  a 7–4 record, good for the fifth seed in  the Western Conference, and they are doing all of this without their star player DeAndre Ayton. Big shoutout to, Aron Baynes, who has been balling 15 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 rebounds. 

The Utah Jazz has it figured out, currently at a record of 8–3, good for fourth in the west. Very good to see, though Mike Conley is still struggling.

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by one point. They are officially on implosion  watch.

The Los Angeles Clippers lost to the New Orleans Pelicans without the benefit of Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Jahlil Okafor and Brandon Ingram.

The Golden State Warriors are at the bottom of the NBA standings.