Raptors’ Quickley, Poeltl working on chemistry
Global News
It may seem like it, but 432 minutes isn't that much time.
It may seem like it, but 432 minutes isn’t that much time.
That’s how much playing time Toronto Raptors starting point guard Immanuel Quickley and centre Jakob Poeltl got to play together last season.
In a disappointing campaign where Toronto’s roster underwent a significant overhaul, Quickley and Poeltl had just the 25th most of minutes all possible Raptors pairings last season.
They’ve been working on making up for that this past 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 just the intelligence he has, especially when you talk to him, you can understand how he’s a very smart player.
“I’m just really trying to pick his brain, see where he likes the ball.”
Quickley was traded with RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., from the New York Knicks to Toronto on Dec. 30 in a deal that sent O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn the other way. Quickley began to transition from the two-guard to point after the move, making him pick-and-roll partners with Poeltl.
They had just 18 games together before Poeltl dislocated his left pinky finger. He needed surgery to repair that injury, ending his season.
