Raptors’ Key Players Struggle with Shooting
It’s understandable that Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are central figures for the Toronto Raptors; however, Barnes isn’t an efficient three-point shooter, and Poeltl lacks a shooting game altogether.
Offensive Fit with New Players
With Immanuel Quickley, Jamison Battle, and the developing Ja’Kobe Walter on the court, the offensive dynamics improved significantly. Battle and Walter often positioned themselves wide in the corners, while Quickley operated at the top of the key. This setup allowed Poeltl to excel as a screener and pass the ball effectively in dribble hand-off scenarios, providing ample room for Barnes to make plays.
Additions and Improvements
The Raptors hope to increase their floor spacing with quality shooting. Improvements could come from within, as Walter has shown marked improvement as a rookie, hitting three three-pointers on seven attempts in recent outings. Alternatively, they could benefit from players like Cole Swider, recently signed to a 10-day contract, who has demonstrated shooting prowess in the G-League, averaging 44.7% from three over several seasons, although he has yet to establish himself in the NBA.
A Chance for Swider
Swider is looking forward to seizing this opportunity with the Raptors. Despite the team entering a period of games that may seem inconsequential ahead of the regular season’s end, there are still valuable experiences to gain. They recently had a solid performance against the Charlotte Hornets, holding them to 40.6% shooting and generating 19 points off turnovers.
Player Development Focus
The Raptors have secured several player development successes this season, including the progression of Battle, an undrafted shooter who has gone from a Summer League contract to a multi-year deal. However, the team still requires more shooting options, ranking near the bottom in three-point attempts and makes.
Finding the Right Shooter
While finding proficient shooters is challenging, examples like Duncan Robinson and Joe Harris illustrate that capable players exist, sometimes overlooked. This reality led Toronto to pursue Swider, a promising shooter who has yet to find his footing in the NBA despite his size and skill set.
Swider’s Mental Approach
Swider acknowledges that while he has struggled to shoot well in the NBA, he understands the need to remain confident and composed. He reflects on advice from a G-League coach about maintaining an ‘open fist mentality’—a reminder to stay relaxed rather than tense. The Raptors’ coaching staff aims to alleviate pressure on him as he strives to transition his G-League success to the NBA level.
