The Raptors are BETTING HUGE on Ja’Kobe Walter | The Bench Mob Ep. 3
The Toronto Raptors are betting huge on Ja’Kobe Walter, and the numbers say they’re right. The Raptors sophomore guard shot a team-best 40.9% from three last season, earned 32 minutes a night in the NBA playoffs, and dropped 24 points in Game 6 against Cleveland. In this Bench Mob episode, we break down Ja’Kobe Walter’s leap, why Darko Rajakovic trusts him in playoff basketball, and what his shooting means for the Raptors’ rotation next to Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes.
It’s not about how you start, IT’S ABOUT HOW YOU FINISH. through Toronto’s first 7 regular season games last year Ja’Kobe Walter played just 48 minutes …
But by the end of the season, he had earned the Raptors trust. He averaged 38 minutes in Toronto’s final 3 playoff games.
From being buried behind Gradey to starting in playoff games to being held off the table in Kawhi trades… Ja’kobe Walter walked from one end of the earth to the other in just 7 months. And this summer, if rumours are true… he might have just walked to the moon.
Because long before Ja’Kobe Walter was a Toronto Raptor, he was a dawg at Link Academy. A relentless scorer, a consistently attacking livewire act. And it seems after 2 years of NBA experience, he’s ready to get back to it.
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WHO WAS JA’KOBE WALTER LAST SEASON?
Ja – Kobe – Walter.. It’s almost like his parents knew he’d be a 6’6 basketball player. And as of this summer, he officially is. Don’t trust the internet. Ja’Kobe has grown. And he’s gotten stronger.
You can’t trust basketball reference sometimes. When you tell people about how good Kobe is, you do a quick search.
7 points? 2 rebounds? 1 assist?
But dig a little deeper and you’ll also see that Ja’Kobe pre-allstar to post increased his scoring by 56%, his 3 point percentage by 12.6%, his field goal percentage by 4% – and he was rewarded with a 25% spike in minutes.
The scoring got better, the shooting got better, the defense got way better, and so too did his consistency.
Yes, if Ja’kobe walter was a stock, he’d be NVIDIA right now.
And the only question right now is… what’s under the hood? Which other development levers can the Raptors pull? And might the added weight and his recent growth spurt help him level up in ways Raptor fans can’t quite imagine right now?
WHAT DID HE DO WELL?
Walter’s greatest strength isn’t necessarily that he can make a three. He shot 47% from 3 after the all star break which was a welcome development for one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the NBA.
But no, it’s not just that he hits 3s.
It’s that he can make a three without needing the offense built around him.
He can stand in the corner.
He can relocate.
He can run off a screen.
He can receive the ball and get it out quickly.
And when you play next to Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, that’s incredibly important.
Those guys are going to have the ball. While they’re still here, IQ and RJ will also have the ball.
Walter doesn’t need it.
PROJECTING FORWARD
This is where things get interesting.
Toronto doesn’t need Ja’Kobe Walter to become a star.
They don’t even need him to become a primary scorer.
They need him to become something much simpler.
A big wing who shoots.
Defends.
Moves without the ball.
And punishes mistakes.
Because if Walter can give Toronto twelve points a night while defending his position and shooting somewhere around 38% from 3..
That’s a real NBA player.
And if the attacking game develops?
Then you’re talking about something more.
The shot has already arrived.
Now Walter has to prove that there’s a complete player attached to it.
Because the difference between a guy who can shoot…
and a guy you have to guard…
might be the difference between Walter being a key bench piece…
and Walter basically making RJ Barrett obsolete.
#raptors #baylor #nba
Hopefully he'll bring it this Szn.. I believe he got something special going for himself this year.
If we trade jako he’ll end up turning into shai
👌
Great vid 👍
I think he comes alive with Kawhi's gravity, otherwise the Raps need better screeners to get Jakobe open off the bench. I'm hoping that can be at least 2 of Graves & either Bittle or Jemison. Right now I think they're missing Mamu's screens especially. I watched LAC last year & that was a big issue for their bench too. I'm not sure Walter has the burst or handle to create his own shot, he strikes me more as a spot up shooter type that needs a big to create separation for him. Graves should be able to fill in what Mamu did hopefully. I'm not too sure on Poeltl's screens either, he seems a bit thin for a C, but again i havent been watching this team.
Great vid, we all are very aware of CMB but from following your channel and the way u talk about him I’m so hyped to see how Jakobe looks this season !!
Hey Hey #KOARM….this type of targeted vid is going to grow you big time… extremely solid work in packaging your breakdown brilliance to more masses. Very happy and proud of experiencing your growth…full respect #KingOfAllRaptorsMedia … sayin it for years now 💯
I love Ja Kobe he like a young Siakam. Under the radar draft that kept rising and stealing jobs. He’s running Barrett off the team next
40.9% from three, 32 minutes a night in the playoffs and 24 in Game 6. At this point the Raptors aren't betting on him, they're just reading the receipts.
Great vid and series, your production quality has definitely improved since I subbed a couple years ago. I’m used to tuning in to the longer discussions post game, but you’ve done an excellent job transitioning to these shorter episode/preview format.
Your series brought to my attention that Darko has many options for the starting lineup since Kawhi will probably sit for ~25 games this season.
If IQ, Barrett, Barnes and Jakob are healthy, he can plug Shead, Walter or CMB in the starting lineup depending on the situation.
Shead gives us better point of attack defence and playmaking, unlocks IQ off the ball, and Scottie becomes the primary scorer.
Walter gives us better 3 point shooting, good on-ball defence on the opposing 2 guard, gives Scottie more facilitating options and opens up RJ as the primary scorer.
CMB gives us better paint defence and rebounding, and is willing to take open 3s if the defence sags off.
I think his biggest weaknesses were finishing at the rim and ball handling … but he's getting better ….
I only noticed Jakobe in the playoffs but I was very impressed. I'm excited to see how he is goig to do this year.
The only way u can bet on him is if he plays alot of minutes and has the ball..if RJ and IQ are here..Not happening, gotta move them. Honestly he should be starting, the only reason RJ and IQ are starting, bc of money, which is a shame. Same with CMB. Hopefully in time that will happen. I hope so, u got 2 guys making 30 millll each, not worth half getting top minutes which they shouldn't. Any other good team these guys are riding the bench.