Pascal Siakam has been a revelation for the Toronto Raptors this season. He's only been in the league for three years, but he's already the second-best player on a team that's competing in the NBA Finals. Last night, he helped the Raps take Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 32 points on an impressive 82 percent shooting from the field.

Confidence is not something that Siakam is lacking. He's always believed in himself and what he can do as a player. He even told his brother James prior to the start of the season that he knew that he's bound for a great year. James shared this story with The Athletic's Michael Lee, who had a chance to talk to him last Friday.

“He knew this was going to be his breakout season. Going in, he was like, ‘Last year, the year before, that’s history. I want to get better.’ Every year, if you look at his stats, it’s always an improvement. He’s always under the radar but he’s one of those guys that puts in the work, he’s committed to his craft. This summer, he went crazy. Everyday, 6, 7 a.m., in the gym. Every morning, weightlifting. At night, play games with all those pros. It’s just what you’re seeing is the fruits of his efforts. And to me, it’s not surprising, because I knew he just needed an opportunity to show what he can do. And he’s doing that right now.”

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Siakam is a candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. During the regular season, he averaged 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, way better than his output during the 2017-18 season. Moreover, he's been sensational in the playoffs, becoming the Raptors' secondary option on offense. He would sometimes carry the scoring load for Toronto whenever Kawhi Leonard is struggling on the floor.

The Raptors have a bright future ahead of them. Whether Leonard stays after this season or not, they will remain relevant in the Eastern Conference as long as Siakam continues to develop as a player. He's already shown flashes of being a star this season, and who knows, he might become Toronto's franchise player one day.