Jakob Pöltl is getting more and more accentuated in his second season with the Toronto Raptors. SPOX spoke to the Austrian about his new role, the new Raptors style of play and the developments in the NBA. On Sunday, Pöltls Raptors will meet Celtics at the LIVESTREAM FOR FREE at 9.30 pm.
SPOX: Jakob, your role in the Raptors has become much bigger than last season. How do you feel about that?
Jakob Pöltl: That feels very good. I worked hard and hard in the summer – whether in the Summer League, for the national team or individually. I also think, therefore, that I deserve this greater role. And now it is a matter of tying up and maintaining or even expanding this role.
SPOX: In which aspects have you improved in particular?
Pöltl: First and foremost, I’ve been working on my finishing and my outdoor play. You don’t see this in the games yet, because the situations where I can apply this do not occur so often. The same goes for the threesome, which I also worked on during the summer. In addition, the game practice that I missed last season from time to time helps me in the game. This also leads to the fact that in some situations I do not act so hectically anymore.
SPOX: Keyword gaming practice: Is it easier to perform well if you are a fixed part of the rotation?
Pöltl: Yes, this is a big advantage if you don’t come into the game completely cold, but are still warm enough from warming up. Then your rhythm is just better, you play with more confidence. And it also helps me to know where I’m on the team and when I’ll probably be replaced.
SPOX: To what extent has your perception of yourself changed in comparison to the rookie year?
Pöltl: I realize that I have meanwhile earned the respect of my fellow players and also of the opponents. The referees also have a different feeling, as many of them are now familiar with what is helpful. Overall, I would say that – unlike in the rookie year – there are many more encounters at eye level.
SPOX: As Big Man, you belong to a type of player whose role model has changed considerably in recent years. How do you experience this?
Pöltl: I think that’s a good thing for my game. I’ve always been a Big Man who was on his feet. In times when it is expected that I can switch a pick-and-roll, this helps me. And as already mentioned, I’m working hard on my Outside Game, because a modern Big has to act a lot from outside. It’s important for me to work constantly on such things so that I can keep myself in the league as long as possible and keep up with the development.
SPOX: Are there any players you are looking for?
Pöltl: Of course there are some players that I can look at a few things from. But it’s not like I’m watching hours of video footage from anyone. I can’t name a particular player, who I have taken as a role model.
SPOX: After last year’s playoff, Raptors President Masai Ujiri has called for a change in philosophy. Now you play a higher pace, the ball moves faster. How can you imagine it: is something like this clearly announced in the summer that the game will be changed, or is it an automatic one?
Pöltl: That was something that coaches pushed during the summer. Especially we young players had a lot of units together, in which we ran a lot of drills, which give us an understanding of the new system. Our second lineup is made for this anyway, we are a lot of young players who need the higher pace and ball movement. Because when we’re on the court, the one-on-one players like DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry are on the bench. We have to rely on teamwork.
SPOX: Sounds like you like the new gameplay.
Pöltl: Absolutely!
SPOX: Let’s get to the general situation of the league. Numerous star trades have shifted the balance of power, even in the East. Is this also an issue within the team, is it discussed?
Pöltl: Of course, such things are dealt with in the Locker Room, especially since it is also about teams that are particularly relevant to us in the East. But it’s not that we waste a lot of time on it, because in the end it’s all about our own team.
SPOX: What’s your opinion of the trend that more and more teams are trying to unite multiple all-stars in one place?
Pöltl: Basically, I’m not a big fan of it. But as long as it works, why shouldn’t teams do that? That is their business, and if it is successful, they are in a way right. In my opinion, this is not the best development for the fans if such one-sided conditions arise.
SPOX: Your team has not changed much. Are the goals still the same?
Pöltl: The goal is and remains to become champion of the Eastern Conference – and then NBA champion. It’s clear that we’re not the big favourites. Nevertheless, I think we are a team that can clean up from behind and therefore belongs to the Contender circle. Teams like Cleveland or Boston are, of course, tough.
SPOX: And what do you want to achieve individually?
Pöltl: There are no concrete goals. For me, it’s all about holding on to the role I’ve worked on, or taking my minutes to the top. Beyond that, I say of course: You take everything with you that goes!
SPOX: When Starting Center Jonas Valanciunas was last injured, coach Casey let Lucas Nogueira start. Did it bother you that the choice wasn’t made?
Pöltl: No, that doesn’t bother me at all, because I know the reason why Lucas was in the Starting Five and not me.
SPOX: Namely?
Pöltl: If a starter fails – as was the case last season – the second unit should still stay together. That’s why a player who doesn’t play as much as you do in the starting five will then move into the starting five. It is simply very important to the coach that the second five remain together as a unit. In addition, Lucas did a very good job in the time without Jonas and more than deserves his minutes.
SPOX: So you don’t perceive him as a competitor?
Pöltl: Of course, we are already competitors in a certain way, since we tend to play in the same position. But the fact that we are below the line and fighting for the same goal outweighs the fact that we are Teammates.