Siakam is a bum.
No one focuses on guarding him and that is the only reason he puts up a few numbers. He scores garbage points and has a single move, that spin around. If team actually gameplanned for him he would be completely useless.
Look at his number when he is guarded by a respectable defender.
Eho even guarded him in that wizards game?
There is no one. No one. NO ONE whould would pick Siakam ahead of Tatum right now. Not even Siakam.
With all due respect, if we are just talking the present instead of future potential, almost every GM in the league would agree that Siakam has been better this year, and it isn't that close. Siakam is one of the top 10 defenders in the league. Just because his offense isn't as impressive doesn't really matter much. He gets it done, and fits into his team's offense perfectly. He never checks out mentally. Sometimes Tatum does.
I think some of the Tatum hype is deserved, but I remain unconvinced he'll be a superstar. He is a below average passer, has no left hand, and frequently does not play with intensity. Those things need to change for him to become what fans think he is. There is a 4 year age gap here, so Tatum is far more valuable, but he just isn't as good right now.
Just on the now?
Tatum can take over a game offensively, siakam cannot
You’ve made this point multiple times now without it being supported by anything. In fact, Siakam has 3x as many 30 point games as Tatum this season, including a 44 point monster game. It’s not like he’s some bum.
Without Leonard Siakam is generally the guy that has to step up, and he’s shown a good ability to do so
with much higher usage, and more shot attempts. whe is the last time Tatum took
I can guarantee, that if you give Tatum the opportunity that Siakam gets and he will do the same, or more.
Tatum has taken more than 20 shots in a game once all season.
Tatum has score at least 20 ppints, in 20 games with fewer shots averaged than Siakam has (siakam has done it fewer times)
Hell Terrence Ross put up 51 points once, does that mean he is better than both?