The Raptors start on Thursday night (1:30 a.m. CEST) with a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Austria’s only NBA export sees his team and himself “ready”, as he noted in an online media round. “Our preparation and also my personal preparation were very good. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season,” said the center. The certain routine that has developed after eight years in Toronto and San Antonio (2018 to 2023) will give way to tension before the throw-off against the Cavs.
Because Toronto is under construction. More than half of the squad around All-Star Scottie Barnes (23) is 25 years old or younger, and Pöltl should bring in his experience. Figures from the previous season make it clear that he is an integral part of the team. When the 7-foot-3 man was sidelined for months with an ankle and finger injury, the Raptors won just four of 32 games. “I definitely have a veteran role, but thank God I’m not the only one,” said the Viennese.
Pöltl with Raptors ready for NBA season start
Jakob Pöltl is currently starting his ninth season in the NBA. There he is currently playing an outsider role with his Toronto Raptors in the race for the play-offs. However, the Austrian assesses his team’s strengths better than last year.
Pöltl sees potential for surprises
“It’s a young team that hasn’t spent much time together yet. I hope that we have a good learning phase this season so that we can develop further as a team,” said Pöltl. But it shouldn’t be a pure transition year. Of course, participation in the play-offs remains a goal, but “Big Jak” doesn’t want to make any predictions before the start of the season. “Fundamentally, I believe we have the potential to surprise the experts. “I think we have more in us than we are given credits for,” he said.
He described the style of play of his team led by Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic as very energetic. “If we give it full throttle, then the other teams are not really ‘ready’ to defend us.” But then it is also important to be able to maintain this level throughout the entire game. In preparation, Toronto also competed against the champion twice. There was one defeat and one win in tests against the Boston Celtics, and Pöltl recorded a double-double in each case.
Satisfied with preparation
Pöltl is satisfied with his personal summer preparation. The Raptors’ number 19 said he was “in shape”. “Maybe better than last year.” An emphasis was placed on one-on-one situations. It remains to be seen whether this will also have an impact on the offensive output. Basically, Pöltl is seen as a team-serving player who prefers to put others in the spotlight. Depending on the situation, it could also be pushed more, said the Viennese.
In the fitness sector, the past year should remain an exception with the long period of absence. The 82 games in the regular season are no cause for concern, even if age is starting to make itself felt. “The older you get, the more it pinches and little things come along. But I’m nowhere near the point where I feel pain when I get up.”
Pöltl is under contract in Toronto for two more years, and he has a player option for a third. Rumors of a trade for the center surfaced again in the summer. Things could get interesting again at the beginning of February when title contenders readjust their squads with a view to the play-offs. Only the Raptors, from whom Pöltl receives $19.5 million (18 million euros) per season, can make decisions until 2026.
National team continues to be an issue
A Pöltl would also be good for the red-white-red selection. The national team remains an issue, he said at the end of the question and answer session. “My role hasn’t changed much. I am out of competition during the season. But next summer it should look very good that I can be part of a larger part. That’s basically something that’s on my radar.” The selection of the Austrian Basketball Association (ÖBV) will be in action until February 2025 in the pre-qualification for the 2027 World Cup against Armenia and Albania. The second phase of qualification would be on the program in summer 2025.
