Point guard Immanuel Quickley and center Jakob Poeltl had limited playing time together last season.
Over the summer, the two Toronto Raptors players tried to get more in tune.
“He has a very sharp basketball mind,” said Quickley, who said he texts the seven-foot Austrian almost every day. I’m just trying to see how he thinks and where he likes to have the ball. »
Quickley and Ontarian RJ Barrett moved from the Knicks to the Toronto club on December 30, while OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn took the opposite route.
Quickley then began to be the playmaker more often, partnering with Poeltl during sequences where a screen was needed.
They played only 18 matches together, then Poeltl dislocated the little finger on his left hand.
“We talked about what would be the best way to build chemistry as quickly as possible,” Poeltl said. It wasn’t bad at all last season, it came quite naturally. This is about working on the nuances. »
During the off-season, they had the opportunity during two Raptors mini-camps, in Miami and Spain.
“There were times after practice where it was just the two of us and a few assistants,” Poelt said. That’s the key: spending time together on the pitch. You notice this or that and you learn more about the other guy. And over time, it gets better and better. »
Quickley agreed: “He will score a lot of his points from short passes, often with a jump. He has a nice touch around the basket. I just have to know where guys like to have the ball. This way I can see how I can help them be successful. »
The Raptors are training in Montreal this week. They are preparing for an exhibition game Sunday evening at the Bell Center against the Washington Wizards.