If the Toronto Raptors are going to win a playoff series for the first time in six years, they’re going to need somebody to step up, and Ja’Kobe Walter appears ready to do so.
In his second season with the Raptors, the Legynds alum played in 72 games and made 19 starts, averaging 20 minutes per game. His defense that has proven to be an x-factor for Toronto, but his offense came on late in the season and he flashed his big time potential once again on Wednesday with Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram both out due to injury.
In a Game 5 loss, Ja’Kobe showed he was capable of handling the added responsibility. He knocked down six threes and scored 20 points, but also had four steals, three rebounds and two assists. It’s that ability to impact the game in many different ways that made him a star with Legynds and in his lone college season at Baylor, then made him a Top 20 NBA Draft Pick.
Legynds director George Clay recently spoke to Sportsnet about Ja’Kobe’s ability.
“Ja’Kobe was always a kid that could impact the game without having to score,” Clay said. “Now, he was a heck of a scorer, don’t get me wrong. But he knew he could do other things, whether it was shutting down the other team’s best player, and even as your best player, he’s the one diving on the floor for a loose ball, getting a steal or an extra possession. He took a lot of pride in all the areas of his game, versus feeling like — even though he was our best player — feeling like he had to act like that. He did all the little things that kind of mattered and helped us win.”
Going from the main guy throughout his life to one of many in the NBA has been an adjustment for Ja’Kobe. As a rookie he split time between the Raptors and their G-League affiliate. This season, he was inactive for the first three games and saw limited opportunities early in the season. But he stayed the course, put in work with Clay during the All-Star break, and earned playing time down the stretch as a result of a roster shuffle by the Raptors.
Coaches and veteran teammates laud his steady demeanor and ability to adapt.
“He’s got this ability to just be a gamer, to have a certain level of competitiveness,” said Garrett Temple, a 17-year NBA vet. “His ability to take coaching is very old school, and he’s very low maintenance.”
That sentiment was echoed by Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic.
“He’s a such a great kid and such a competitor, he’s very, very easy to coach, you know? You tell him something one time, he takes that very seriously and he’s trying to apply it right away.”
In the second half of the season, Ja’Kobe shot 47.6 percent from deep, the second best mark in the NBA among qualified players (100 or more makes). Over the final 15 games, he was even better, shooting 53.3 percent from three while averaging 26.6 minutes per game.
“We all know he’s been great defensively for us,” said Raptors star Scottie Barnes. “Being able to put pressure on the ball, turning guys, trapping guys, helping us get out and run, but his shooting is just something that we need on our team, and he’s been on fire. Each shot he takes, it feels like it’s going in and he’s been super important for our team. Sometimes, we get in these ruts where we’re not making shots. But we can count on him to play defence and make shots.”
The fire threatened to go out in the postseason, in Toronto’s Game 3 and 4 wins at home, he missed every one of his attempts from deep, but with Ingram down in Game 5, he responded with one of his best games as a pro. Toronto didn’t have enough firepower to overcome the Cavaliers in Game 5, but they’ll be back home on Friday with a chance to send the series to a decisive Game 7, and Clay wouldn’t bet against his guy Ja’Kobe.
“Anytime there’s a competition, I’m putting my money on Ja’Kobe for those minutes,” said Clay. “So it doesn’t surprise me at all because I feel like if there’s fair competition, he’ll win.”
To read the full article from SportsNet, click here.