A big opportunity for Raptors’ rookie big man
A unique man in unique circumstances. Toronto Raptors rookie Jakob Poeltl, the ninth selection in the June draft, arrived in Toronto as the first Austrian player ever chosen. But he also arrived with an opportunity to play right away, not for some rebuilding lottery-bound team but for a legitimate contender.
It is hardly ever this way, raw rookies aren’t generally asked to contribute right away but a void in the Raptors frontcourt has given the sevenfoot-one Poeltl a chance to play at least a little bit right away.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it makes it more fun, it’s just an opportunity for us young guys,” Poeltl said. “It’s rare that you come to a winning team like this and that there’s also minutes available if you show coach what you got on the court . . . It’s a rare situation. It’s definitely a good situation for us, and I think it brings out the best in us.”
The “us” comes down to Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira, vying to back up Jonas Valanciunas at centre.
Poeltl, and every other deep bench player, got plenty of opportunity to play Friday as the Raptors rested every significant player in a122-105 win over San Lorenzo, the defending Argentina league champions, at the Air Canada Centre.
Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, Jared Sullinger, Jonas Valanciunas, Cory Joseph, Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson all sat out the lone home game of the exhibition season.
Having played Thursday in Cleveland and with two games remaining in the pre-season, the Raptors decid- ed to give a dozen young players extended minutes.
Fred Van Vleet made a strong push for the vacant 15th roster spot, leading Toronto with 31 points, Norman Powell, the lone rotation player to dress, had 17 while Poeltl had 12 points and six rebounds.
Casey isn’t too worried about Poeltl’s lack of experience and familiarity with the NBA game. Even with only two years at Utah, Poeltl has shown an ability to quickly grasp the nuances of the game.
“Even though he’s a young player, he’s mature, I say he’s got an old soul,” Casey said. “He doesn’t get too excited. He doesn’t get too down when he makes mistakes.”
Poeltl’s biggest challenge will be dealing with the speed and quickness of NBA players, primarily in pickand-roll defence. Coaches and teammates are impressed with his passing skills and the coach said he’s already one of the best screen-setters on the team. But if he can’t defend the mostused play in the game, he’s not going to earn minutes.
“It’s not going come within a day or two . . . it’s a process,” Poeltl said.
Casey is giving away nothing about the competition with two pre-season games left. And with each player having flaws — Poeltl’s inexperience, Nogueira’s lack of focus at times — the backup role may shift from one to the other.