Why Did Pascal Siakam 'Shoutout' Andrew Nembhard?

Pascal Siakam's admirable efforts to lead the Indiana Pacers' younger players are paying dividends. In a recent episode of the "Young Man and the Three" podcast, the Indiana Pacers All-Star gave a shoutout to his dog, Andrew Nembhard. 

Over the summer, Siakam held numerous mini-camps before the official training camp. Not only did Siakam host training sessions with the younger players on the Pacers, but he also had one-on-one moments with players such as Jarace Walker. 

Another player who's benefited from Siakam's mentorship is Nembard. Nembhard averaged a career-high 10.2 points, five assists, and 1.2 steals during the 2024-25 season. Although such counting stats are admirable, considering he's not the team's focal point, his defensive effort caught Siakam's attention.

Siakam complimented Nembhard as the young guard sat beside him, smiling from ear to ear.

"I just want to give [Nembhard] a shoutout... my dog right here, every single night, guarding the best players on every single team... That boy is different," Siakam said. "He's different every single night."

At only 25, Nembhard has made a name for himself. His confidence and feisty nature earned him respect from the energetic and fierce defensive star of the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green.

During the 2024-25 season, Green appeared on the Club 520 podcast, which former Pacers point guard Jeff Teague co-hosts. Green revealed that in his rookie year, Nembhard got under Stephen Curry's skin. 

For Nembbhard to even cause a ripple in Curry's mood conveys the influence the Pacers guard carries league-wide. 

The Pacers' guard had multiple moments during the 2024 NBA playoffs, implying he has a bright future. Nembhard averaged 21 points in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. 

The Pacers rank 14th in defensive rating. Last season, they finished 24th. Although 14th isn't elite, a 10-place jump indicates they've made a significant effort in execution and effort. Nembhard's tenacity and consistency in guarding the best players in the NBA have much to do with the team's vast improvement on defense.