When the Detroit Pistons drafted Sekou Doumbouya he often drew comparisons to Pascal Siakam, which made sense.
The two are a similar size, have similar styles of play and both entered the NBA as raw prospects that needed development.
Most Pistons’ fans were happy that Detroit took a chance on a high-ceiling prospect and the comparisons to Siakam just made it better, as he is an All-NBA talent who helped lead his team to a title.
While we were all happy to compare these two players when it meant discussing the potential of Sekou Doumbouya, Pistons’ fans overlooked some other important parts of Siakam’s ascension.
Mainly, that it didn’t happen overnight.
Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya could be the next Pascal Siakam
When a player like Siakam becomes an All-Star people tend to forget how they got there.
Some hotheaded fans are ready to call Sekou Doumbouya a bust, but let’s take a look at how he stacks up to Pascal Siakam (one of the best wings in the NBA) at the same age.
So what did Siakam’s numbers look like when he was 20-years-old, as Doumbouya is now? I have no idea. Siakam didn’t get to the NBA until he was 22.
Well, surely Siakam was very good immediately since he came in as such an “old” prospect? Nope, he didn’t average double-digits until he was 24 in his third season in the league.
He was 25 when he made his first All-Star game, a full five years older than Sekou Doumbouya is now.
Comparing players is often foolish, especially when one of them has barely played in the NBA.
But if you want to compare Siakam and Doumbouya, then pay attention to the timeline because Sekou is ahead of Siakam right now and deserves some patience before being called a bust.