How Cheick Diallo Can Learn From the Raptors' Pascal Siakam

How Cheick Diallo Can Learn From the Raptors’ Pascal Siakam

By Seth Nefsky | May 31, 2018

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 15: Cheick Diallo #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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Interior Defense

The other thing plaguing Diallo’s DRPM is his rim protection. Despite Diallo and Siakam being of similar size with similar leaping ability, opponents have shot 3.2% better within six feet of the rim with Diallo defending them, while shooting 6.8% worse against Siakam. This is despite Diallo having a better block percentage than Siakam.

The main reason for the difference happens to be in their defensive approaches, with Diallo going for

blocks

, while Siakam goes for

contests

. Though this might seem one in the same, let these two clips display the difference.

This is Diallo going for a

block

via GIPHY

And this is Siakam going for a

contest

via GIPHY

Diallo tries to sneak up on drivers to get blocks after they put up shots, while Siakam makes sure his feet are set and arms are up to contest, even before the driver puts up a shot. Though some big men thrive off of the “surprise attack” move Diallo tries, his DRPM proves that he does not.

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