Pascal Siakam gives Pacers’ female coach Jenny Boucek her flowers in listed confession

Pascal Siakam was perhaps the one who got buckets and the boards crashed like a human Pogo stick in game 1 of the NBA Finals, but after the victory the man took a moment to take a step back and give propagatites where it owed. And no, it was not a teammate or Rick Carlisle-It was Pacers-Assistant coach Jenny Boucek, the groundbreaking basketball brainiac who is restrained in the secret weapon of Indiana. Forget Bloemen – Pascal practically gave her a whole greenhouse compliments.

To the question of Boucek’s impact on the success of the Pacers and his own transition to Indiana, Siakam did not respond alone – he gave a TED talk. ‘Jenny has been great‘He started, in the same way as you talk about someone who always brings snacks to meetings. But he meant it at a deep level. Siakam spoke about how he had to shift after coming from Toronto (where basketball is in fact a religion and the playbook of the rapters is a bird of prey. And mix in the chaos-in-control system of Indy.

‘She gives me super great insights into what we want to do“He said, sounding like a student who spoke about their favorite professor.”She is a great communicator. “And perhaps the most important thing is in an 82 game season that feels longer than an Oscar speech, Siakam added: “She always brings that positivity that is needed to coach”

Let’s really be – NBA banks are not exactly Zen Gardens. So, someone who radiates good energy when you fall 15 in the final? That is actually a basketball therapist who also draws up a 2-3 zone fall. Iconic. If you now wonder who Jenny Boucek is and why Siakam sounds like he’s ready to write a characteristic card – Buckle Up.

Jenny Boucek is not only the “female assistant” in a men -dominated league. She is a Hooper, a scholar and a running tactical encyclopedia. We are talking about defending player of the year, at UvA. We are talking about Wnba Baller who has become a coach. We are talking about double major with honor in sports medicine and sports management.

She started in the WNBA as a coach far back in 1999, when Y2K was still one thing and Shaq was still in early retirement. She coached the Sacramento Monarchs and the Seattle Storm (won a title with them), and in 2018 she crashed the Boys’ Club of the NBA by becoming a member of the Kings coaching staff. Then, like LeBron in Free Agency, she took her talents to Dallas and became the first female coach of Mavericks under Rick Carlisle.

In 2021 she reunited herself with Carlisle in Indiana. And if you are wondering how a team that committed 25 turnover, still managed to beat the Thunder in Game 1, well … Start giving some side of the Boucek’s blackboard.

Pascal Siakam’s Game 1 Heroics: back as if he never left

While we throw bouquets to Boucek here, let’s not pretend that Siakam is not avoided as it was 2019. In the Comeback victory of 111–110, Pascal registered 19 points on 7-of-15 shootings, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a momentum-swayed block with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who looked as if he had just opened a bad credit report. His well-back from a Nembhard Miss in the last minute? Chef’s Kiss. That cut the lead to one and set up the Stone cold 21-foot game winner of Haliburton with just 0.3 seconds. That’s right – Indiana was in charge for less time than Charles Barkley to say ‘warranty’.

Oh, and this wasn’t just a game. It was the first lead of the pacers of the game, the biggest comeback of the fourth quarter in the final since 2011, and it happened in OKC, where the Thunder was 36-1 when he led 15 or more this season. This victory was not only shocking it was WWE plot-shocking.

Siakam’s return to the Finals stage, after his title run of Raptors 2019, showed why the Pacers brought him in. You not only add a former champion for vibes to you bring them in to calm the ship if you sink faster than the three-point percentage of the Lakers on the road.

Siakam’s praise was not just about respect – it was recognition. Boucek does not just fill a quota. She is a strategist, motivator and mentor. She is the type of coach that can break down defensive rotations and can help players through personal transitions. Rick Carlisle even called her ‘One of the smartest and most innovative minds in coaching. “Myles Turner praised her” intense passion “and her ability to” turn a switch “when it is playing time.

She is one of only five active female coaches in the NBA. Only 15 women have ever coached in the competition. That is less than the number of flops that Chris Paul draws in a season. So yes, when Siakam stops with mid-final to thank her, it’s not just a sweet moment it is a legacy moment.

We keep talking about the balance of Haliburton, Carlisle’s no-time Duts and Indiana’s Energizer Bunny Bench Unit but behind the scenes, Jenny Boucek whispers defending schemes and cultural structure such as the professor McGonagall of basketball. Pascal Siakam, once the professional and student of the game, sees it. He knows her value. And now we all have to.

If the pacers get this done and win everything? Boucek can get her better yesterday. Because from Siakam’s Flower Shower to Indiana’s breathtaking game 1 Miracle, she already has fingerprints everywhere in this final.

And to Pascal quote One last time: “She’s been great for us. “Damn, she has.