Not to sound cliché, but the Raptors’ most important “loan addition” is already on the roster.
Jakob Poeltl was sidelined for nearly two months with a back injury, and his limitations were clear even before he was sidelined. But a fully healthy and capable Jakob Poeltl changes the way this team operates.
Poeltl was secretly one of Toronto’s most important players.
Poeltl has anchored the Raptors’ defense for the past two-and-a-half seasons, gobbling up rebounds, setting hard screens and giving Toronto what it lacks: legitimate intelligence to match opposing centers.
If he’s physically fit, the Raptors will be a different team. Over the past two seasons Raptors have been 7.6 points per 100 possessions It would be better to have the Austrian big man on the floor.
Part of this massive on-off split reflects the team’s lack of a reliable backup center in recent years. Still, the numbers highlight how stable Poeltl has been for the Raptors.
The first half wasn’t the “real” Jakob Poeltl.
Poeltl wasn’t fully healthy or fully effective earlier this season, and his impact reflected that. So far, Raptors have been 2.9 points per 100 possessions It’s even worse when he’s sitting on the floor. He’s also averaging his lowest points and rebounds in years.
Vision tests confirmed this number. Defensively, they struggled to defend in space and contain pick-and-roll action. On the offensive side, he lacked the mobility to consistently play inside. This resulted in increased mismatch hunting on the one hand and unforced errors on the other hand.
Whenever the 30-year-old, 250-pound center deals with recurrent back issues, the concerns are valid. But Toronto made the right decision in shutting him down. Poeltl missed 24 games and sought professional treatment rather than playing the entire game. This reset could prove to be more valuable than any minor trade deadline move the Raptors might make.
A healthy Jakob Poeltl lifts everyone up
There are many different ways to create space in today’s NBA. The most obvious one is the 3-point shot. But the oldest method is still one of the most effective: setting up a hard screen. Poeltl is one of the best players in the league in that regard. That screening would most benefit Toronto’s security forces.
Immanuel Quickley has more space to operate without having to work as hard to generate separation, and the second unit works more smoothly with cleaner pick-and-roll action. Defensively, Poeltl’s presence allows Scottie Barnes to move around. Barnes can use his strengths as a help defender and playmaker in the passing lanes. It is this kind of impact that shows the true value of Paultle.
Poeltl offers a skill set that no other player on the roster can match. His return will give Coach Rayakovic more lineup and matchup flexibility, which will help everyone on the roster.
conclusion
It remains to be seen how Jakob Poeltl will react in the second half. But if he returns to the form he’s shown the past two seasons, Toronto’s biggest addition at the deadline won’t be a star-studded new name. This will be a fully healthy, initial capacity interactive center already in the building.
Poeltl’s solid presence could be the difference between the Raptors simply making the playoffs or making the playoffs. genuine Participate in the playoffs.