The Warriors missed Siakam! Give up the championship puzzle for Liukumingga, do you regret it now?

When watching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers and the Celtics are hard to distinguish, but there is a name that is always ignored - Siakam.

You may remember that he scored 39 points in the G2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but you may not know: a year and a half ago, the Warriors were only one step away from him.

Warriors' "hesitation": In order to stay at Kumingga, I missed Sika

last season, the Raptors reorganized their lineup and put Sika on the shelves. The Warriors' eyes lit up at that time - this is an all-around forward who can play at the 3/4 position, with an offense and defense, just right to make up for the shortcomings of the Warriors' forward line.

But the transaction is stuck. The Raptors called for Kumingga, but the Warriors firmly believed that "Kummingga is the future" and refused to let go no matter what they said. In addition, Sika asked for a maximum salary (all 45 million), and the Warriors' contract was not completed yet, so the salary space could not be freed. The most important thing is that Sika himself is not happy - he is afraid that the Warriors will have to be the "third and fourth core" and wants to find a team that can make him the "second leader".

Finally, the transaction was ruined. The Warriors kept Kuminga, while Sika was "picked up" by the Pacers with Brown + Nova + 3 first-round picks.

Pacers' "high bet": renewing the contract with a maximum salary, Sika becomes a "panko oil"

How much does the Pacers attach to Sika? As the season ended, the four-year maximum salary contract of 189.5 million was directly handed over, which clearly stated that "you are the core of the future."

Facts have proved that this money is worth spending. This season's playoffs, Sika is simply the Pacers' "pane-goods":

When Halliburton is present: he is the "final machine" - 75% of the goals are fed by teammates, and they can get everything by cutting, turning down, and three-pointers. Against the Cavaliers G4, 90% shooting percentage in 21 minutes scored 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, and the 21st Century Pacers' first player with 20+ in the playoffs.

When Halliburton is not present: he becomes the "offensive fulcrum" - a low-level single, hard-soled face frame, and mid-range jumper. He dares to make a tough shot even when the strongest single-defense player in the league comes. The net win score of 10.2 in the playoffs, the team ranked first.

Durant praised after the game: "This guy has been all-stars every year since the 2019 Finals, and is terriblely stable."

Sica's "transformation": from "the main attacker of the weak team" to "champion puzzle"

When in the Raptors, Sika gave people the impression of "middle-distance maniac" - obsessed with singles, defensive decline, and three-pointers were poor. But when it comes to the Pacers, he is like "changing individuals":

Three-pointers: 43% shooting percentage in the playoffs, and the open three-pointers are as stable as a shooter;

Defense: Active in assisting defense and filling up positions, becoming the "mobile barrier" of the Pacers' defense line;

Ball rights: Don't steal Halliburton's limelight, you should pass and shoot, and the team's tactics are smoother.

To put it bluntly, the Pacers' system "activated" him. Halliburton is good at controlling the court and passing the ball, while Sika is good at finishing and attacking the tough guys. The two just complement each other. When Halliburton was attacked, Sika could singles to solve the problem; Halliburton was in a sluggish state, Sika could also stand up and bear the score.

fans are blunt: "Halliburton is the cover of the book, and Sika is the most exciting content in the book."

Warriors "Comparison": Kumingga left the team, and Sika became the gods

Now look at the choices of the Warriors and Pacers - the Warriors retained Kumingga, and as a result, Kumingga became the "first person who may leave the team" this summer; the Pacers "bet" on Sika, and as a result, Sika became the core of the Eastern Conference Final.

does not mean that Kumingga cannot do it, but Xika's "immediate combat power" and "adaptability" are something that Kumingga cannot give now. Last season, the Warriors' front line was "military training" by their opponents. If there was Sika, they might not have been eliminated in the first round.

But don't blame the Warriors for hesitating back then - Who would have thought that Sika, who was put on the shelves by the Raptors, could evolve into an "all-round forward" when the Pacers came to the Pacers?

Sica, more people should see that the spotlight of the Eastern Conference Finals is always on Halliburton, but Sika's value is hidden in every key round: he can shoot, break, defend, be the end point, and be the offensive axis. Such players are the "champion puzzle" that modern basketball lacks the most.

The Warriors missed him, which is regret; the Pacers get him, which is luck. But more importantly - next time, stop underestimating this "neglected all-round forward".

After all, there has never been one "Halliburton" who can lead the team from a "dark horse" to a "regular visitor to the Eastern Conference Finals".