Ja’Kobe Walter’s address, another Raptors advantage

His skill level in the preseason was cause for scrutiny. After the first practice in the big league, which was already awkward in terms of shooting, I’m Kobe Walter finished his six preseason games a measly 5/19 from 3-point range (26%). Fortunately for Raptors and since then he has made things right.

« He is one of the players who takes the most shots in training, so he is really determined to improve in this part of the game. It helped us a lot to see that he is confident on the court and that he shoots well without forcing himself “, delivered by Darko Rajaković after the victory against the Nets.

A game in which his guard hit four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points (6/7 shooting including 4/5 from distance). ” For a young player who wants to make a place for himself, it is very important to make good shots. I think he did a really good job tonight. “, greeted the coach again.

After a rookie season with 8.6 points on 40.5% shooting, including 34.9%, the 19th pick in the 2024 draft certainly saw a drop in performance (5 points), but he gained in efficiency: 44.4% including a special 42.9% from distance. A promising curve for young running backs who still need to gain consistency. In five games, he alternated nights of clumsiness and outings with more than 10 points.

Already a solid interceptor

The 21-year-old, however, is aware that his contribution is not only offensive. “ I know what I have to do: bring energy to the game. However it goes, I know I have to go in and try to increase the lead as much as possible, whether it’s defensively, offensively or hitting. », he described after his outing against the Nets.

Ja’Kobe Walter thus earns a good reputation as a ball stealer. In 15 minutes, he steals one per match. According to equal playing time, he is among the most productive in the league in this region. In the rest, just a little blackened leaf. The person in question has every interest in diversifying his game to get minutes at the expense of his competitors at the position (Ochai Agbaji, Gradei Dick, etc.).

« The most important thing to learn in the NBA is that you can play well without shooting well. I don’t think many fans understand that. I learned that pretty early in my career. You can go 3/15 shooting, defend the best player all night, finish with five steals, seven assists, seven rebounds… and you might not shoot well, but still impact the game in so many other ways “, Imanuel Kwikli recalls.

A speech that should reach the ears of his young teammate.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.