"If there's one thing that will earn Walter minutes this upcoming season, it is his defence. He acknowledged the same with Will, saying effort was the key for his role this season. Our own Es Baraheni wrote something similar this offseason. So why is this his swing skill? Because it's his calling card. Walter's defensive skill set is the key to unlocking more minutes for himself and potentially even earning a spot in the starting lineup."
"Walter is already an excellent defender in several areas. He ranked in the 85th percentile guarding isolations, 88th percentile guarding spot-ups, and 86th percentile guarding off screens. What does all that mean? Well, it means he's great at defending closeouts, occupying space on the help side, understanding his distance from an off-ball player, using his quick feet to contest shots, or stopping a drive. In isolation situations, he's excellent at pressuring the ball, using his hands to time deflections and pokeouts."
Ja'Kobe Walter is prioritizing defense as the primary means to earn minutes and potentially a starting role with the Toronto Raptors. Effort and defensive versatility form the backbone of his role, enabling him to remain on the floor to develop other skills. Statistical grades place Walter highly in isolations, spot-ups, and off-screen defense, translating into strong closeout, help-side, spacing, contesting, and on-ball pressure abilities. His speed helps against quicker guards while his length neutralizes bigger opponents, making his defence a pivotal factor in both personal development and team outcomes. The Raptors begin preseason with a game in Vancouver.
Read at Raptors Republic
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