Raptors’ Quickley, Poeltl working on chemistry Achi-News

It may seem like it, but 432 minutes is not that much time.

That’s how much playing time Toronto Raptors starting point guard Immanuel Quickley and center Jakob Poeltl got to play together last season.

In a disappointing campaign in which Toronto’s roster underwent a major overhaul, Quickley and Poeltl got only the 25th most minutes of all possible pairings by the Raptors last season.

They have been working on making up for that last summer.

“He’s a very smart basketball player,” Quickley said, adding that he texts Poeltl almost every day. “I don’t know if a lot of players know that, but he just has the intelligence, especially when you talk to him, you can understand how he’s a very smart player.

“I’m really trying to pick his brain, see where he likes the ball.”

Quickley was traded along with RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., from the New York Knicks to Toronto on Dec. 30 in a deal that sent OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn the other way. Quickley began transitioning from both guard to point after the move, making him pick-and-roll partners with Poeltl.

They only had 18 games together before Poeltl dislocated his left pinky finger. He required surgery to repair that injury, ending his season.

Quickley and Poeltl combined for 24 minutes per game over that 18-game span. They combined for 60.4 points per game, with a 49.7 percent field goal percentage and 40.9 percent three-point shooting. They averaged 22.3 rebounds – 16.8 on the defensive end – with 15.3 assists.

By comparison, backup center Kelly Olynyk of Kamloops, BC, and shooting guard Ochai Agbaji joined Toronto after the Quickley trade, but managed to play more time together totaling 451 minutes.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson and center Julius Randle, who has since been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, led the NBA with a combined average of 31 minutes per game last season.

“It was something we’re working on,” Poeltl said Monday at the Raptors’ media day. “I’ve had individual conversations with Quick as well, trying to find out what would be the best way for us to get our chemistry going as quickly as possible.

“I think we had a pretty good start last year, it felt quite natural. But we are working on that tone. “

There are some statistics that back up Poletl’s impression of his partnership with Quickley.

They had a 3.3 plus/minus rating per game, the best of the Raptors’ top 25 pairings. Their combined average of 60.4 points per game last year is second-best of Toronto’s still-viable pairings, behind Quickley and Barrett’s average of 63.4.

Also, for 24 of their 432 precious minutes together, Dennis Schroder was also on the floor and would have been the Raptors’ point guard.

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Poeltl and Quickley have tried to make up for that lack of court time together by working together extensively in Raptors minicamps in Miami and Spain this offseason.

“We had a few times after practice where we would get together just the two of us with a couple of trainers and go through some reps,” Poeltl said. “We also had a little time in Miami working out with the same coaches, just getting a little more experience.

“That’s all it really takes, just being out there on the court together, and you pick things up or you learn more and more about each other, and it will get better and better from the there.”

Quickley agreed with Poeltl.

“Obviously, a lot of his scoring is off pocket passes and he has a great touch around the rim,” he said. “Just trying to understand where my teammates like the ball and where I can help them be successful.”

Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic wants to see Quickley drive to the net more often this season, a crucial final option for a successful selection with Poeltl. That means understanding where the big man will move after setting his pick to clear space and possibly going in place for a rebound if Quickley misses his spot.

“We’re making the effort to try to perfect it in a way,” Quickley said. “It’s not going to come easy.

“You’ve got to hit the hammer every day you come in, and I think we’ve done that.”

This report was first published by The Canadian Press on October 3, 2024.

& copy 2024 The Canadian Press